Dental Assisting at Summit College
with a smaller student body of 1,210 in San Bernardino, CA.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $19,964/yr fall 45% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
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 25% gap from the optimistic case.
At $8,405 in median debt against $19,964 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
Ranked #455 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Summit College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $19,964 to $26,315 over five years — a 32% 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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
Dental Assisting Career Guide
Explore what Dental Assisting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 513 programs nationwide.
Compare & Explore
Dental Assisting Overview
Dental Assisting at Other Schools
Other Majors at Summit College
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