Dental Assisting at Phoenix College

Phoenix, AZ · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

serving 6,952 students in Phoenix, AZ.

Program Analysis

Phoenix College's Dental Assisting program produces graduates earning $32,248/yr — within striking distance of the $36,429 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 111.9x 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 37% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,000 in median debt clears fast against $32,248 in annual earnings.

At #112 of 513 nationally, this is a top-5% Dental Assisting program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $48,841 show a 51% jump from the $32,248 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $32,248/yr (-11% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$538K
10.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
114.0x
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)
$4,716
Out-of-state: $17,916
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,841
51% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Dental Assisting careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Phoenix College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Phoenix College's Dental Assisting program score?
At 62/100, Phoenix College's Dental Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Phoenix College?
At $9,000 in median debt, Dental Assisting graduates from Phoenix College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is Phoenix College one of the best schools for Dental Assisting?
The #112 ranking out of 513 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
If Phoenix College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How sensitive is Dental Assisting to AI disruption?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 37% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
The career paths mapped to Dental Assisting have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →