Dental Support Services at Eastern Florida State College

Melbourne, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

serving 10,162 students in Melbourne, FL.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Eastern Florida State College's Dental Support Services program earn $57,021/yr in their first year — 57% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 119.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Support Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Support Services's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

At #19 of 513 nationally, this is a top-5% Dental Support Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Support Services, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
73
Score
73
High End
Earnings $57,021/yr (57% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$57K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
119.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,992
Out-of-state: $19,478
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,758
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Support Services 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 →

About Dental Support Services Careers

Your career will likely begin chairside as a dental assistant. You’ll be the dentist’s right hand, preparing treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing tools during procedures, and operating the suction hose. You'll also be a key patient contact, taking X-rays and making people feel at ease. Many professionals use this experience as a launchpad, returning to school to become a dental hygienist.

Read the full Dental Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Support Services Overview

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Eastern Florida State College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Eastern Florida State College's Dental Support Services program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Eastern Florida State College's Dental Support Services graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
What makes Eastern Florida State College's Dental Support Services program stand out?
Ranked #19 of 513 programs nationally, Eastern Florida State College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Dental Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Dental Support Services connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Dental Support Services workers?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Support Services offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →