Dental Assisting at Community College of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 11,312 students in Philadelphia, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,849 track close to the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 63.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Assisting programs nationally.

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 39% gap from the optimistic case.

At $14,500 in median debt against $34,849 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #186 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Community College of Philadelphia scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,771 show a 54% jump from the $34,849 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
58
Score
58
High End
Earnings $34,849/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$596K
11.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
64.3x
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)
$9,264
Out-of-state: $24,880
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,771
54% 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

Dental Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Community College of Philadelphia

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Community College of Philadelphia's Dental Assisting program score?
At 58/100, Community College of Philadelphia's Dental Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Community College of Philadelphia?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing Community College of Philadelphia's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How sensitive is Dental Assisting to AI disruption?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 39% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Community College of Philadelphia graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →