Dental Assisting at Pickens Technical College

Aurora, CO · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 646 in Aurora, CO.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,002 track close to the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 65.8x 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.

A #198 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Pickens Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $31,002/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$324K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
65.8x
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)
$4,930
Out-of-state: $8,330

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 Pickens Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pickens Technical College's Dental Assisting program score?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Assisting field.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
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 Pickens Technical College.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Pickens Technical College find jobs?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Pickens Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →