Dental Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 Support Services 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 →

About Dental Support Services Careers

Your career will likely begin chairside as a dental assistant. You’ll be the dentist’s right hand, preparing treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing tools during procedures, and operating the suction hose. You'll also be a key patient contact, taking X-rays and making people feel at ease. Many professionals use this experience as a launchpad, returning to school to become a dental hygienist.

Read the full Dental Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Support Services Overview

Dental Support Services 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 Support Services program score?
This program scores 67/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Support Services graduates.
What makes Quinsigamond Community College's Dental Support Services 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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Support Services career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Dental Support Services workers?
The career paths mapped to Dental Support Services have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →