Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 →

About Dental Support Services Careers

Your career will likely begin chairside as a dental assistant. You’ll be the dentist’s right hand, preparing treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing tools during procedures, and operating the suction hose. You'll also be a key patient contact, taking X-rays and making people feel at ease. Many professionals use this experience as a launchpad, returning to school to become a dental hygienist.

Read the full Dental Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Support Services Overview

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cape Cod Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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 Support Services 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 Support Services field.
What's the typical debt for Dental Support Services 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 Support Services?
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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Support Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Dental Support Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Dental Support Services have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →