Dental Assisting at Carrington College-Albuquerque

Albuquerque, NM · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 297 students in Albuquerque, NM.

Program Analysis

Carrington College-Albuquerque's Dental Assisting graduates start at $26,485/yr, trailing the $36,429 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,789 in median debt clears fast against $26,485 in annual earnings.

Ranked #318 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Carrington College-Albuquerque falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $26,485 to $31,832 over five years — a 20% 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.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
44
Score
44
High End
Earnings $26,485/yr (-27% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$329K
4.7% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,789
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,832
20% 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

See the full career breakdown for Dental Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Carrington College-Albuquerque and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Carrington College-Albuquerque

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at Carrington College-Albuquerque?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why are Dental Assisting earnings lower at Carrington College-Albuquerque?
Starting salary is one data point. If Carrington College-Albuquerque's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Carrington College-Albuquerque?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing Carrington College-Albuquerque's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Carrington College-Albuquerque find jobs?
The large job market (99,500 annual openings) works in favor of Dental Assisting graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →