Dental Assisting at Tulsa Community College

Tulsa, OK · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a mid-sized student body of 11,397 in Tulsa, OK.

Program Analysis

Tulsa Community College Dental Assisting graduates command $63,224/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,429 national median. That 74% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 91.3x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,810 in median debt clears fast against $63,224 in annual earnings.

Ranked #33 of 513 programs, Tulsa Community College's Dental Assisting program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $68,240 are relatively flat compared to the $63,224 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
72
Score
72
High End
Earnings $63,224/yr (74% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$690K
1.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
91.6x
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)
$7,536
Out-of-state: $19,440
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,810
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,240
8% 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

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 Tulsa Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tulsa Community College's Dental Assisting program score?
At 72/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How affordable is Dental Assisting at Tulsa Community College?
Median debt of just $13,810 against $63,224/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Dental Assisting program at Tulsa Community College?
Beyond Tulsa 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 Tulsa Community College find jobs?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Tulsa Community 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 →