Dental Assisting at Madison Area Technical College

Madison, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 9,273 students in Madison, WI.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Madison Area Technical College's Dental Assisting program earn $59,139/yr in their first year — 62% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 64.7x 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 $14,407 in median debt against $59,139 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Madison Area Technical College ranks #70 among 513 Dental Assisting programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $59,139/yr (62% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$619K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
64.7x
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)
$9,560
Out-of-state: $14,054
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,407
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Madison Area Technical 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 Madison Area Technical College?
This program scores 67/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Assisting graduates.
How affordable is Dental Assisting at Madison Area Technical College?
Median debt of just $14,407 against $59,139/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.
Is Madison Area Technical College one of the best schools for Dental Assisting?
Ranked #70 of 513 programs nationally, Madison Area Technical College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Madison Area Technical 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 Madison Area Technical College.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Madison Area Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →