Dental Assisting at Plaza College

Forest Hills, NY · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

A 30% acceptance rate puts Plaza College in competitive admissions territory, a compact campus enrolling 829 students in Forest Hills, NY.

Program Analysis

Plaza College Dental Assisting graduates command $57,819/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,429 national median. That 59% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 19.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,824 in median debt clears fast against $57,819 in annual earnings.

Ranked #202 out of 513 programs, Plaza College's Dental Assisting offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $57,819/yr (59% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$605K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
19.6x
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
$30,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,824
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

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

What can you do with a Dental Assisting credential from Plaza College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Plaza College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at Plaza College?
At 56/100, Plaza College's Dental Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing Plaza College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
The large job market (99,500 annual openings) works in favor of Dental Assisting graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →