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Dental Support Services at Santa Fe College

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

serving 11,133 students in Gainesville, FL.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Santa Fe College's Dental Support Services program earn $56,722/yr in their first year — 56% above the $36,429 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 115.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Support Services graduates.

At $14,125 in median debt against $56,722 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #22 out of 513 programs, Santa Fe College's Dental Support Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
73
Score
73
High End
Earnings $56,722/yr (56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$593K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
115.8x
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)
$5,126
Out-of-state: $18,378
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,125
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Support Services 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 →

About Dental Support Services Careers

Your career will likely begin chairside as a dental assistant. You’ll be the dentist’s right hand, preparing treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing tools during procedures, and operating the suction hose. You'll also be a key patient contact, taking X-rays and making people feel at ease. Many professionals use this experience as a launchpad, returning to school to become a dental hygienist.

Read the full Dental Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Support Services Overview

View all 513 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at Santa Fe College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($68,611) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($57,763) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($42,710) Computer Programming ($39,098) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($25,823) Animal Sciences ($24,833) Computer Software and Media Applications ($24,448)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Support Services at Santa Fe College?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the typical debt for Dental Support Services graduates from Santa Fe College?
At $14,125 in median debt, Dental Support Services graduates from Santa Fe College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Santa Fe College one of the best schools for Dental Support Services?
Ranked #22 of 513 programs nationally, Santa Fe 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 Support Services?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Support Services career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Dental Support Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Dental Support Services have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →