Dental Assisting at North-West College-Riverside
a smaller institution with 680 students in Riverside, CA.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $23,018/yr fall 37% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
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 4% gap from the optimistic case.
At $9,500 in median debt against $23,018 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
Ranked #397 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, North-West College-Riverside falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $24,777 are relatively flat compared to the $23,018 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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
Dental Assisting Career Guide
Dental Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.
Compare & Explore
Dental Assisting Overview
Dental Assisting at Other Schools
Other Majors at North-West College-Riverside
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.