Dental Assisting at Luzerne County Community College

Nanticoke, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 3,241 students in Nanticoke, PA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,650/yr, edging above the $36,429 national average for Dental Assisting — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 36.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% 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 $12,500 in median debt against $41,650 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #209 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Luzerne County Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $41,650 to $46,226 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.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
55
Score
55
High End
Earnings $41,650/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$470K
2.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
36.4x
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 (In-State)
$12,900
Out-of-state: $31,620
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,226
11% 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 Luzerne County Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Luzerne County Community College's Dental Assisting program score?
This program scores 55/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Assisting graduates.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Assisting occupations, such as Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) and Dental Laboratory Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →