Dental Assisting at Community College of Denver

Denver, CO · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

serving 5,156 students in Denver, CO.

Program Analysis

At $76,712 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Community College of Denver significantly outpace the $36,429 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 81.9x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

The median debt load of $21,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #28 out of 513 programs, Community College of Denver's Dental Assisting program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
72
Score
73
High End
Earnings $76,712/yr (111% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$77K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
81.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,804
Out-of-state: $34,272
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,188
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

Explore what Dental Assisting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 513 programs nationwide.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Community College of Denver

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 72/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Community College of Denver?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Dental Assisting nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Community College of Denver?
Median debt of just $21,000 against $76,712/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.
What makes Community College of Denver's Dental Assisting program stand out?
Among 513 Dental Assisting programs, Community College of Denver's #28 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Dental Assisting program at Community College of Denver?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Assisting occupations, such as Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) and Dental Laboratory Technician. 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 Assisting graduates?
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 →