Dental Support Services at Central Community College

Grand Island, NE · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 3,206 students in Grand Island, NE.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $53,860 put Central Community College's Dental Support Services program 48% above the national median of $36,429 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 83.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Support Services graduates.

With first-year pay of $53,860 far exceeding the $10,831 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #54 out of 513 programs, Central Community College's Dental Support Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $53,860/yr (48% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$54K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
83.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,720
Out-of-state: $9,600
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,831
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,425
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Support Services 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 →

About Dental Support Services Careers

Your career will likely begin chairside as a dental assistant. You’ll be the dentist’s right hand, preparing treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing tools during procedures, and operating the suction hose. You'll also be a key patient contact, taking X-rays and making people feel at ease. Many professionals use this experience as a launchpad, returning to school to become a dental hygienist.

Read the full Dental Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Support Services Overview

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Central Community College's Dental Support Services program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Support Services graduates.
What's the typical debt for Dental Support Services graduates from Central Community College?
Median debt of just $10,831 against $53,860/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.
Why does Central Community College rank so high for Dental Support Services?
Ranked #54 of 513 programs nationally, Central 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 Support Services?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Support Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Dental Support Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Dental Support Services have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →