Dental Assisting at Santa Fe College

Gainesville, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

serving 11,133 students in Gainesville, FL.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Santa Fe College's Dental Assisting program earn $56,722/yr in their first year — 56% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 115.8x 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.

At $14,125 in median debt against $56,722 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #22 out of 513 programs, Santa Fe College's Dental Assisting program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
73
Score
73
High End
Earnings $56,722/yr (56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$593K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
115.8x
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 (In-State)
$5,126
Out-of-state: $18,378
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,125
3.0 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

Dental Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Santa Fe 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 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Santa Fe College?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Santa Fe College?
At $14,125 in median debt, Dental Assisting graduates from Santa Fe College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Santa Fe College one of the best schools for Dental Assisting?
Ranked #22 of 513 programs nationally, Santa Fe College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Dental Assisting program at Santa Fe College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing Santa Fe College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Dental Assisting from Santa Fe College?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Santa Fe College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →