Dental Support Services at Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

Farmingdale State College accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 9,117 students in Farmingdale, NY.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Farmingdale State College's Dental Support Services program earn $57,077/yr in their first year — 57% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 36.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Support Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Support Services's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

At $13,564 in median debt against $57,077 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #156 of 513 Dental Support Services programs, Farmingdale State College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $62,672 are relatively flat compared to the $57,077 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Support Services, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
60
Score
60
High End
Earnings $57,077/yr (57% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$636K
2.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
37.1x
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)
$17,152
Out-of-state: $36,972
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,564
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,672
10% growth from Year 1

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

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Farmingdale State College's Dental Support Services program score?
At 60/100, Farmingdale State College's Dental Support Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How affordable is Dental Support Services at Farmingdale State College?
Median debt of just $13,564 against $57,077/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.
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.
Is there demand for Dental Support Services workers?
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 →