Dental Support Services at The College of Health Care Professions-Austin

Austin, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 829 students in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,060/yr fall 20% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Support Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Support Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $8,859 in median debt against $29,060 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #266 ranking among 513 Dental Support Services programs places The College of Health Care Professions-Austin in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
46
Score
47
High End
Earnings $29,060/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$29K
Reported median after graduation
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,859
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,381
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at The College of Health Care Professions-Austin

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The College of Health Care Professions-Austin's Dental Support Services program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Dental Support Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is The College of Health Care Professions-Austin a good choice for Dental Support Services despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at The College of Health Care Professions-Austin may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Support Services occupations. 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 Support Services workers?
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 →