Dental Assisting at Fortis Institute-Towson

Towson, MD · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 373 students in Towson, MD.

Program Analysis

At $24,564 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Fortis Institute-Towson earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $13,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $24,564 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #329 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Fortis Institute-Towson falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $27,731 are relatively flat compared to the $24,564 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
39
Low End
43
Score
43
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
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.

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 Institute-Towson and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Fortis Institute-Towson

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 43/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Fortis Institute-Towson?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why are Dental Assisting earnings lower at Fortis Institute-Towson?
Starting salary is one data point. If Fortis Institute-Towson's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
If Fortis Institute-Towson's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Fortis Institute-Towson find jobs?
Job availability for Dental Assisting is strong — 99,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Fortis Institute-Towson graduates specifically, local market conditions in MD may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →