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Dental Support Services at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
59
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,380/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)
ROI 21.2x earnings multiple (10.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #38 of 74 Dental Support Services programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Dental Support Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $586K $586K $545K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.2x 21.2x 19.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.6x 10.6x 9.9x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 53% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 59 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,624
Out-of-state: $55,080 (10.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,388
-46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,125
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $58,380/yr, roughly in line with the $60,938 national median for Dental Support Services. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 21.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Support Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $58,380 far exceeding the $24,125 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #38 ranking among 74 Dental Support Services programs places University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 4,133 students in Fort Smith, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Dental hygienists $94,260/yr
Dental laboratory technicians $48,310/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 74 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Foothill College ($81,255) Lake Washington Institute of Technology ($77,431) Pacific University ($76,060) University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center ($75,367) University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ($75,367) College of Southern Nevada ($75,252) West Coast University-Los Angeles ($73,751) West Coast University-Orange County ($73,751)

Other Majors at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,618) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($54,484) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($51,896) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($40,565) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($40,525) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($39,057) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($33,460) Social Work ($32,532)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Dental Support Services trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Dental Support Services at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Dental Support Services is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →