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Dental Assisting at Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 3,107 in Fort Dodge, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Iowa Central Community College's Dental Assisting program earn $59,746/yr in their first year — 64% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 58.1x 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.

At $16,930 in median debt against $59,746 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Iowa Central Community College ranks #72 among 513 Dental Assisting programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $59,746 to $59,924 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.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
66
Score
66
High End
Earnings $59,746/yr (64% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$625K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
58.1x
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)
$10,752
Out-of-state: $15,336
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,930
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,924
0% 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

What can you do with a Dental Assisting credential from Iowa Central Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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 Iowa Central Community College

Nursing ($56,562) Electrical Repair Technology ($53,083) Allied Health Professions ($50,501) Vehicle Repair Technology ($49,556) Computer Networking ($43,253) Criminal Justice ($39,121) Medical Assisting ($34,317) Medical Assisting ($34,244)

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at Iowa Central Community College?
A score of 66/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Assisting field.
How affordable is Dental Assisting at Iowa Central Community College?
Median debt of just $16,930 against $59,746/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.
Why does Iowa Central Community College rank so high for Dental Assisting?
Among 513 Dental Assisting programs, Iowa Central Community College's #72 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Iowa Central Community College?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Assisting career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Iowa Central Community College.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
Job availability for Dental Assisting is strong — 99,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Iowa Central Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in IA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →