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Dental Assisting at Fortis College-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 513 in Columbia, SC.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $24,564/yr fall 33% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 19.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $13,000 against $24,564/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #483 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Fortis College-Columbia in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $24,564 to $27,731 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
36
Low End
39
Score
39
High End
Earnings $24,564/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$283K
3.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
19.4x
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
$14,576
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,731
13% 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 Fortis College-Columbia and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

View all 513 schools offering Dental Assisting →

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at Fortis College-Columbia

Nursing ($69,200) HVAC Technology ($35,785) Health Administration ($29,157) Medical Assisting ($27,198)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Dental Assisting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 39/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Fortis College-Columbia?
At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Fortis College-Columbia a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Fortis College-Columbia's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Fortis College-Columbia?
Beyond Fortis College-Columbia's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Dental Assisting careers — including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Fortis College-Columbia 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 →