Dental Assisting at Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

one of the larger campuses at 40,214 students in Fort Worth, TX.

Program Analysis

Tarrant County College District Dental Assisting graduates command $65,537/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,429 national median. That 80% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 198.4x 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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #4 of 513 Dental Assisting programs nationally, Tarrant County College District sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

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.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
77
Score
77
High End
Earnings $65,537/yr (80% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$66K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
198.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$3,456
Out-of-state: $16,470
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,094
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

Dental Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tarrant County College District

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tarrant County College District's Dental Assisting program score?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Dental Assisting nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What makes Tarrant County College District's Dental Assisting program stand out?
Among 513 Dental Assisting programs, Tarrant County College District's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Assisting graduates?
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.
Is there demand for Dental Assisting workers?
The career paths mapped to Dental Assisting have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →