Dental Assisting at Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston

Charleston, WV · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 36 in Charleston, WV.

Program Analysis

At $25,352 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston earn below the $36,429 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Assisting graduates.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #357 out of 513 programs, Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston's financial outcomes for Dental Assisting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $25,352 to $29,967 over five years (18% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Dental Assisting connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
39
Low End
43
Score
43
High End
Earnings $25,352/yr (-30% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$308K
4.3% 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
$9,500
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,967
18% 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 Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston? 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 Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston's Dental Assisting program score?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Why are Dental Assisting earnings lower at Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston?
Starting salary is one data point. If Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston'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?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Assisting occupations, such as Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) and Dental Laboratory Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Dental Assisting graduates?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Assisting offers a large employment pool. Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →