Dental Assisting at Stark State College

North Canton, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a mid-sized student body of 5,803 in North Canton, OH.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,672 place Stark State College below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 50.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Assisting programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Assisting's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 33% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $16,125 represents roughly 6 months of the $30,672 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

At #221 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Stark State College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $30,672 to $44,232 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Assisting, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $30,672/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$479K
9.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
51.3x
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)
$9,340
Out-of-state: $15,532
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,125
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,232
44% 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 Stark State 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 Stark State 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 53/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Stark State College?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Assisting field.
Can you still earn well with Dental Assisting from Stark State College?
Lower starting pay at Stark State College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Assisting career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Stark State College.
How could AI change the job market for Dental Assisting graduates?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 33% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
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 →