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Dental Assisting at Cape Cod Community College

West Barnstable, MA · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 2,223 in West Barnstable, MA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Cape Cod Community College's Dental Assisting program earn $54,903/yr in their first year — 51% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 51.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

At $14,498 in median debt against $54,903 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #101 out of 513 programs, Cape Cod Community College's Dental Assisting program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $54,903 to $58,550 over five years (7% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Dental Assisting connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
64
Score
64
High End
Earnings $54,903/yr (51% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$591K
1.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
51.7x
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 (In-State)
$11,424
Out-of-state: $21,312
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,498
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,550
7% 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

What can you do with a Dental Assisting credential from Cape Cod Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

View all 513 schools offering Dental Assisting →

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at Cape Cod Community College

Nursing ($65,350) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($23,563)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Dental Assisting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Cape Cod Community College?
A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Assisting field.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Cape Cod Community College?
Median debt of just $14,498 against $54,903/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Cape Cod Community College rank so high for Dental Assisting?
The #101 ranking out of 513 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Cape Cod Community College?
Beyond Cape Cod Community College'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.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Cape Cod Community College find jobs?
Job availability for Dental Assisting is strong — 99,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Cape Cod Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →