Dental Assisting at The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston

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

with a smaller student body of 666 in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,569/yr fall 41% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

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 24% gap from the optimistic case.

At $6,361 in median debt against $21,569 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #433 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $21,569 to $28,294 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
41
Score
41
High End
Earnings $21,569/yr (-41% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$298K
7.0% 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
$6,361
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,294
31% 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

See the full career breakdown for Dental Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston and 512 other schools.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 41/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Assisting at The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dental Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston?
Median debt of just $6,361 against $21,569/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Dental Assisting. For students weighing The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
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 →