Dental Assisting at Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with 20,532 students enrolled in Lake Worth, FL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $63,723 put Palm Beach State College's Dental Assisting program 75% above the national median of $36,429 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 122.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Palm Beach State College ranks #11 among 513 Dental Assisting programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $63,723 to $73,447 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
74
Score
74
High End
Earnings $63,723/yr (75% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$752K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
123.2x
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)
$6,100
Out-of-state: $21,820
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$73,447
15% growth from Year 1

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

What can you do with a Dental Assisting credential from Palm Beach State College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Palm Beach State College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at Palm Beach State College?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Palm Beach State College's Dental Assisting graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Is Palm Beach State College one of the best schools for Dental Assisting?
Ranked #11 of 513 programs nationally, Palm Beach State College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
Beyond Palm Beach State College's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Dental Assisting careers — including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
At 99,500 annual openings, Dental Assisting has a large employment base. Palm Beach State College 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 →