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Dental Support Services at Madison Area Technical College

Madison, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 9,273 students in Madison, WI.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Madison Area Technical College's Dental Support Services program earn $59,139/yr in their first year — 62% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 64.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Support Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $14,407 in median debt against $59,139 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Madison Area Technical College ranks #70 among 513 Dental Support Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Dental Support Services careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $59,139/yr (62% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$619K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
64.7x
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)
$9,560
Out-of-state: $14,054
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,407
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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

View all 513 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services 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 Madison Area Technical College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($66,446) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($65,324) Computer Software and Media Applications ($65,191) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($62,646) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($57,005) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($54,784) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($54,717) Accounting and Related Services ($45,333)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Support Services at Madison Area Technical College?
This program scores 67/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Support Services graduates.
How affordable is Dental Support Services at Madison Area Technical College?
Median debt of just $14,407 against $59,139/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.
Is Madison Area Technical College one of the best schools for Dental Support Services?
Ranked #70 of 513 programs nationally, Madison Area Technical 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?
Dental Support Services connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →