Dental Assisting at Medical Career & Technical College

Richmond, KY · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 199 in Richmond, KY.

Program Analysis

At $16,206 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Medical Career & Technical College earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

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.

The median debt load of $3,374 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #488 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Medical Career & Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
39
Score
39
High End
Earnings $16,206/yr (-56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$170K
1.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$3,374
2.5 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 Medical Career & Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 39/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Medical Career & Technical College?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Medical Career & Technical College?
Median debt of just $3,374 against $16,206/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can you still earn well with Dental Assisting from Medical Career & Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Medical Career & Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Medical Career & Technical College?
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.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
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 →