Dental Assisting at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

Hanceville, AL · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 4,413 in Hanceville, AL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,837 track close to the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 43.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% 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 $8,750 in median debt against $34,837 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #218 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 21% earnings increase from $34,837 to $42,302 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $34,837/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$438K
5.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
43.9x
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)
$9,960
Out-of-state: $17,580
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,750
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,302
21% 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 George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

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 George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Assisting field.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?
Median debt of just $8,750 against $34,837/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
If George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville'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.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
The large job market (99,500 annual openings) works in favor of Dental Assisting graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →