Dental Assisting at Northcentral Technical College

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

a compact campus enrolling 3,479 students in Wausau, WI.

Program Analysis

At $48,083 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Northcentral Technical College significantly outpace the $36,429 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 65.1x 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 Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $9,499 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Northcentral Technical College ranks #95 among 513 Dental Assisting programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
65
Score
65
High End
Earnings $48,083/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$48K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
65.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$7,722
Out-of-state: $11,230
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,499
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,371
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Northcentral Technical College

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 65/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at Northcentral Technical College?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Dental Assisting field.
How affordable is Dental Assisting at Northcentral Technical College?
Median debt of just $9,499 against $48,083/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Northcentral Technical College rank so high for Dental Assisting?
Ranked #95 of 513 programs nationally, Northcentral Technical College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Northcentral Technical College?
If Northcentral Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
The career paths mapped to Dental Assisting have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →