Dental Assisting at Lansing Community College

Lansing, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 7,756 students in Lansing, MI.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Lansing Community College's Dental Assisting program earn $49,832/yr in their first year — 37% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 68.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Assisting programs nationally.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

At $13,933 in median debt against $49,832 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #73 of 513 nationally, this is a top-5% Dental Assisting program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $54,469 are relatively flat compared to the $49,832 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.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
66
Score
66
High End
Earnings $49,832/yr (37% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$552K
2.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.8x
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)
$8,020
Out-of-state: $22,060
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,933
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,469
9% 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

Explore what Dental Assisting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 513 programs nationwide.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lansing Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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 Lansing 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.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Lansing Community College?
Median debt of just $13,933 against $49,832/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 Lansing Community College rank so high for Dental Assisting?
The #73 ranking out of 513 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Lansing Community College?
Beyond Lansing Community College'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.
What's the job market like for Dental Assisting from Lansing Community College?
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 →