Dental Assisting at Northwest Technical College

Bemidji, MN · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 654 students in Bemidji, MN.

Program Analysis

At $36,203/yr, Dental Assisting graduates from Northwest Technical College land near the $36,429 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 60.6x 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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

At #181 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Northwest Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
58
Score
58
High End
Earnings $36,203/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$379K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
60.6x
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
$6,246

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

See the full career breakdown for Dental Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Northwest Technical College and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwest 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 58/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Northwest Technical College?
This program scores 58/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Assisting graduates.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Northwest 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?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Northwest 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 →