Dental Assisting at Dakota County Technical College
a compact campus enrolling 2,083 students in Rosemount, MN.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $45,418 at Dakota County Technical College come in 25% above the national median of $36,429 for Dental Assisting programs.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 37.0x 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.
With first-year pay of $45,418 far exceeding the $6,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #190 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Dakota County Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
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.
Earnings Overview
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Dental Assisting Overview
Dental Assisting at Other Schools
Other Majors at Dakota County Technical College
Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.