Dental Assisting at North-West College-Van Nuys

Van Nuys, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 225 in Van Nuys, CA.

Program Analysis

At $31,215/yr, Dental Assisting graduates from North-West College-Van Nuys land near the $36,429 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

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.

The median debt load of $8,130 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #245 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, North-West College-Van Nuys 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.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
48
Score
48
High End
Earnings $31,215/yr (-14% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$327K
1.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,130
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings

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%
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 →

Dental Assisting Career Guide

Explore what Dental Assisting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 513 programs nationwide.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at North-West College-Van Nuys

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at North-West College-Van Nuys?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Dental Assisting. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from North-West College-Van Nuys?
At $8,130 in median debt, Dental Assisting graduates from North-West College-Van Nuys carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Dental Assisting program at North-West College-Van Nuys?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing North-West College-Van Nuys's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. North-West College-Van Nuys graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →