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Dental Assisting at The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus

McAllen, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 728 students in McAllen, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,569/yr fall 41% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

At $6,361 in median debt against $21,569 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #441 out of 513 programs, The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus's financial outcomes for Dental Assisting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $21,569 to $28,294 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
41
Score
41
High End
Earnings $21,569/yr (-41% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$298K
7.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$6,361
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,294
31% 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 The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

View all 513 schools offering Dental Assisting →

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus

Allied Health Professions ($43,823) Allied Health Professions ($31,332) Health Administration ($27,690) Medical Assisting ($26,556) Massage Therapy ($20,079)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Dental Assisting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus's Dental Assisting program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Dental Assisting. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus?
At $6,361 in median debt, Dental Assisting graduates from The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can you still earn well with Dental Assisting from The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus?
Starting salary is one data point. If The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus?
If The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus find jobs?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →