Dental Assisting at Carrington College-Tucson

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

a compact campus enrolling 437 students in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

At $26,485 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Carrington College-Tucson earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

The median debt load of $8,789 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #309 out of 513 programs, Carrington College-Tucson's financial outcomes for Dental Assisting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $26,485 to $31,832 shows 20% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

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-Tucson 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-Tucson

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Carrington College-Tucson?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is Carrington College-Tucson a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
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.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Dental Assisting program at Carrington College-Tucson?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing Carrington College-Tucson's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
The career paths mapped to Dental Assisting have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →