Dental Support Services at Community College of Denver

Denver, CO · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

serving 5,156 students in Denver, CO.

Program Analysis

At $76,712 per year, Dental Support Services graduates from Community College of Denver significantly outpace the $36,429 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 81.9x 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.

The median debt load of $21,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #28 out of 513 programs, Community College of Denver'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.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
72
Score
73
High End
Earnings $76,712/yr (111% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$77K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
81.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,804
Out-of-state: $34,272
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,188
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 Community College of Denver

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Support Services at Community College of Denver?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Dental Support Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the typical debt for Dental Support Services graduates from Community College of Denver?
Median debt of just $21,000 against $76,712/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.
What makes Community College of Denver's Dental Support Services program stand out?
Among 513 Dental Support Services programs, Community College of Denver's #28 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Dental Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Support Services career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Dental Support Services graduates?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Support Services offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →