Dental Assisting at Springfield Technical Community College

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

a compact campus enrolling 3,965 students in Springfield, MA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $56,883 put Springfield Technical Community College's Dental Assisting program 56% above the national median of $36,429 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 57.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $56,883 far exceeding the $10,884 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Springfield Technical Community College ranks #91 among 513 Dental Assisting programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $56,883 to $63,213 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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
65
Score
65
High End
Earnings $56,883/yr (56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$642K
2.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
58.2x
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)
$11,040
Out-of-state: $21,456
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,884
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,213
11% 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 Springfield Technical 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 Springfield Technical Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 65/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Springfield Technical Community College?
This program scores 65/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Assisting graduates.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Springfield Technical Community College?
Median debt of just $10,884 against $56,883/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What makes Springfield Technical Community College's Dental Assisting program stand out?
Ranked #91 of 513 programs nationally, Springfield Technical Community College lands in the top 25%. 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 Springfield Technical Community College?
Beyond Springfield Technical 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.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Springfield Technical Community College find jobs?
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 →