Dental Assisting at Rochester Community and Technical College

Rochester, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 3,122 in Rochester, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Rochester Community and Technical College's Dental Assisting program earn $46,805/yr in their first year — 28% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 40.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $13,000 in median debt against $46,805 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #168 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Rochester Community and Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $46,805 to $51,236 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
59
Score
59
High End
Earnings $46,805/yr (28% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$519K
2.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
40.8x
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
$12,718
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,236
9% 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

What can you do with a Dental Assisting credential from Rochester Community and Technical 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 Rochester Community and Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Rochester Community and Technical College?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Assisting graduates.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Rochester Community and Technical College?
Median debt of just $13,000 against $46,805/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Assisting occupations, such as Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) and Dental Laboratory Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
The career paths mapped to Dental Assisting have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →