Dental Assisting at Sinclair Community College

Dayton, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

with a mid-sized student body of 12,585 in Dayton, OH.

Program Analysis

At $53,091 per year, Dental Assisting graduates from Sinclair Community College significantly outpace the $36,429 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 82.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dental Assisting programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Assisting's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $18,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #56 of 513 nationally, this is a top-5% Dental Assisting program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $56,201 are relatively flat compared to the $53,091 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Assisting, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $53,091/yr (46% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$566K
1.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
82.5x
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)
$6,870
Out-of-state: $16,632
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,201
6% 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 Sinclair Community 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 Sinclair Community 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

How does Sinclair Community College's Dental Assisting program score?
At 69/100, Sinclair Community College's Dental Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Why does Sinclair Community College rank so high for Dental Assisting?
Among 513 Dental Assisting programs, Sinclair Community College's #56 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Sinclair Community College?
If Sinclair Community 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 large job market (99,500 annual openings) works in favor of Dental Assisting graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →