Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Aurora

Aurora, CO · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 290 in Aurora, CO.

Program Analysis

At $29,935 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Aurora earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

The median debt load of $8,192 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #254 out of 513 programs, Pima Medical Institute-Aurora's Dental Assisting offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $29,935 to $34,871 over five years (16% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Dental Assisting connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
47
Score
47
High End
Earnings $29,935/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$358K
3.9% 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
$8,192
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,871
16% 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 Pima Medical Institute-Aurora

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pima Medical Institute-Aurora's Dental Assisting program score?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Aurora?
At $8,192 in median debt, Dental Assisting graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Aurora carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can you still earn well with Dental Assisting from Pima Medical Institute-Aurora?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pima Medical Institute-Aurora's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
If Pima Medical Institute-Aurora'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.
What's the job market like for Dental Assisting from Pima Medical Institute-Aurora?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Pima Medical Institute-Aurora graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →