Dental Assisting at Quinsigamond Community College

Worcester, MA · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

serving 5,413 students in Worcester, MA.

Program Analysis

Quinsigamond Community College Dental Assisting graduates command $66,252/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,429 national median. That 82% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 58.0x 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 — $21,250 in median debt clears fast against $66,252 in annual earnings.

Ranked #65 out of 513 programs, Quinsigamond Community College's Dental Assisting program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $66,252 to $67,077 over five years (1% 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.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $66,252/yr (82% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$693K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
58.0x
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)
$11,948
Out-of-state: $21,836
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,077
1% 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

See the full career breakdown for Dental Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Quinsigamond Community 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 Quinsigamond Community 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 Quinsigamond Community College's Dental Assisting program score?
This program scores 67/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Assisting graduates.
What makes Quinsigamond Community College's Dental Assisting program stand out?
Ranked #65 of 513 programs nationally, Quinsigamond Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
Beyond Quinsigamond Community College's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Dental Assisting careers — including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
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 →