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Dental Assisting at Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a mid-sized student body of 7,736 in Ann Arbor, MI.

Program Analysis

Washtenaw Community College's Dental Assisting program produces graduates earning $37,428/yr — within striking distance of the $36,429 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 143.1x 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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $5,500 in median debt clears fast against $37,428 in annual earnings.

At #67 of 513 nationally, this is a top-5% Dental Assisting program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

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.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $37,428/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$392K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
143.1x
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)
$2,736
Out-of-state: $6,336
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
1.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$34,055
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Washtenaw Community College 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 Washtenaw Community College

Nursing ($70,145) Criminal Justice ($67,732) Allied Health Professions ($54,371) Business Operations Support ($46,821) Industrial Production Technology ($42,813) Business Administration ($41,152) Medical Assisting ($39,704) Vehicle Repair Technology ($37,457)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Dental Assisting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Washtenaw Community College?
At 67/100, Washtenaw Community College's Dental Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Washtenaw Community College?
Median debt of just $5,500 against $37,428/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 Washtenaw Community College's Dental Assisting program stand out?
Ranked #67 of 513 programs nationally, Washtenaw Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
If Washtenaw Community College'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 Washtenaw Community College find jobs?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Washtenaw Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →