Dental Assisting at Danville Community College

Danville, VA · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 1,371 students in Danville, VA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,405/yr fall 22% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 61.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #224 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Danville Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Dental Assisting careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $28,405/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$297K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.3x
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)
$4,848
Out-of-state: $10,851

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 Danville Community College and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Danville 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 53/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Danville Community College?
This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Assisting graduates.
Is Danville Community College a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Danville Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing Danville Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Danville Community College find jobs?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Danville Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →