Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 339 in Colorado Springs, CO.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,301/yr fall 25% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $8,508 in median debt against $27,301 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #294 ranking among 513 Dental Assisting programs places Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 23% earnings increase from $27,301 to $33,638 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
45
Score
45
High End
Earnings $27,301/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$349K
5.4% 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
$8,508
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,638
23% 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

See the full career breakdown for Dental Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why are Dental Assisting earnings lower at Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Assisting?
Beyond Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs'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.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs find jobs?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →