Dental Assisting at Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe

Tempe, AZ · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

A 100% acceptance rate means Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 1,246 students in Tempe, AZ.

Program Analysis

Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe's Dental Assisting graduates start at $23,827/yr, trailing the $36,429 national average by 35%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 13.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Assisting programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Assisting's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 29% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,680 in median debt clears fast against $23,827 in annual earnings.

Ranked #498 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $23,827 to $32,758 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Assisting, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
37
Score
37
High End
Earnings $23,827/yr (-35% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$350K
8.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
14.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$24,853
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,680
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,758
37% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Assisting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Dental hygienists $94,260 +7.0% 81%
Dental laboratory technicians $48,310 -4.7% 96%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Dental hygienists
$94,260
+7.0% growth 81% AI-proof
Dental laboratory technicians
$48,310
-4.7% growth 96% AI-proof

View all 4 career paths with full salary data →

Dental Assisting Career Guide

Dental Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe's Dental Assisting program score?
At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Can you still earn well with Dental Assisting from Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe?
Beyond Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Dental Assisting careers — including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →