The number of Dental schools in the United States grew by 10.61% between 2019 and 2024. That accounts for an increase of 7 accredited dental schools in the country just within a span of 6 years.
Currently, there are 73 dental schools in the United States, a majority of which are in California.
Let’s explore detailed information about the number of dental schools in the US, a breakdown of dental schools in different states, the best dental colleges, the easiest and hardest dental schools to enter, and more in this post.
Top Picks
- There are 73 accredited dental schools in the United States as of 2024.
- With 7 accredited dental schools, California has the highest number of dental schools in the United States.
- New York has 5 accredited Dental schools, while Texas has 4 accredited dental schools.
- 40 dental schools were the public institutes in the academic year 2022-23.
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry is the best dental school in the United States.
Number Of Dental Schools In The United States
There are 73 accredited dental schools in the United States as of 2024.
The majority of these dental schools are in California, Texas, and New York.
Comparatively, there were 72 accredited dental schools in the United States in 2023 and 70 accredited dental schools in 2022.
The number of Dental schools in the United States grew by 9.1% between 2019 and 2023.
The following table displays the number of Accredited Dental Schools in the United States over the years.
| Year | Number of Accredited Dental Schools in the United States |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2023 | 72 |
| 2022 | 70 |
| 2021 | 68 |
| 2020 | 67 |
| 2019 | 66 |
Source: ADA
Dental Schools By Institute Type
Over half of the dental schools were public schools in the academic year 2022-23.
57.1% of the Dental Schools were recorded to be public schools in the academic year 2022-23. That accounted for 40 dental schools in that year.
Meanwhile, 37.1% of the dental schools in the academic year 2022-23 were private non-profit schools.
The following table displays a further breakdown of the Dental Schools by Institution Type as of the academic year 2022-23.
| Institution Type | Percentage of Dental Schools | Number of Dental Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | 57.1% | 40 |
| Private Non-Profit Schools | 37.1% | 26 |
| Private/ State-Related Schools | 4.3% | 3 |
| Private For-Profit Schools | 1.4% | 1 |
Source: ADA
US Dental Schools By State
The highest number of Dental Schools is in California. The state is home to 7 accredited dental schools in the United States.
At the same time, New York is home to 5 accredited Dental schools, while Texas is home to 4 accredited dental schools.
Here are further details about dental schools in different states in the United States.
Dental Schools In Alabama
There is only one dental school in Alabama. It is the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, which is located in Birmingham.
Dental Schools In Arizona
There are two dental schools in Arizona. They are:
- Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, Mesa
- Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Glendale
Dental Schools In California
There are 7 dental schools in California. The state has the highest number of dental schools in the United States. The dental schools in California are:
- California Northstate University, College of Dental Medicine, Elk Grove
- Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Los Angeles
- Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda
- University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, Los Angeles
- University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, San Francisco
- University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco
- Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, Pomona
Dental Schools In Colorado
There is only one dental school in Colorado. It is the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, located in Aurora.
Dental Schools In Connecticut
The dental school in Connecticut is the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, located in Farmington.
Dental Schools In The District Of Columbia
Howard University College of Dentistry is the only dental school in the District of Columbia, Washington.
Dental Schools In Florida
Florida is home to 3 dental schools. They are:
- LECOM School of Dental Medicine, Bradenton
- Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale
- University of Florida College of Dentistry Gainesville
Dental Schools In Georgia
The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University is the only dental college in Georgia. The dental college is located in Augusta.
Dental Schools In Illinois
Illinois is home to 3 dental schools in the United States. The dental schools in the state are:
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, Chicago
- Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Downers Grove
- Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, Alton
Dental Schools In Indiana
Indiana University School of Dentistry, located in Indianapolis, is the only dental school in Indiana.
Dental Schools In Lowa
There is only one dental school in Lowa. It is the University of Lowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Lowa City.
Dental Schools In Kentucky
There are 2 dental schools in Kentucky. They are:
- University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Lexington
- University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville
Dental Schools In Louisiana
Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Dentistry, New Orleans, is the only dental school in Louisiana.
Dental Schools In Maine
University of New England College of Dental Medicine, Portland, is the only dental school in Maine.
Dental Schools In Maryland
The dental school in Maryland is the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, located in Baltimore.
Dental Schools In Massachusetts
There are 3 dental schools in Massachusetts. They are:
- Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston
- Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, Boston
- Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston
Dental Schools In Michigan: 2 Dental Schools
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor
Dental Schools In Minnesota: 1 Dental School
- University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis
Dental Schools In Mississippi: 1 Dental School
- University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry, Jackson
Dental Schools In Missouri: 3 Dental Schools
- Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine, Joplin
- Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health at ATSU, Kirksville
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, Kansas City,
Dental Schools In Nebraska: 2 Dental Schools
- Creighton University School of Dentistry, Omaha
- University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, Lincoln
Dental Schools In Nevada: 1 Dental School
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, Las Vegas
Dental Schools In New Jersey: 1 Dental School
- Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark
Dental Schools In New York
There are 5 Dental Schools in New York. They are:
- Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York
- New York University College of Dentistry, New York
- Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook
- Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College, Hawthorne
- University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Buffalo
Dental Schools In North Carolina: 3 Dental Schools
- East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, Greenville
- High Point University School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health, High Point (Opening Fall 2024)
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill
Dental Schools In Ohio: 2 Dental Schools
- Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland
- Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus
Dental Schools In Oklahoma: 1 Dental School
University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Oklahoma City
Dental Schools In Oregon: 1 Dental School
Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry, Portland
Dental Schools In Pennsylvania: 3 Dental Schools
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia
- University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh
- Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, Philadelphia
Dental Schools In Puerto Rico: 1 Dental School
- University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental Medicine, San Juan
Dental Schools In South Carolina: 1 Dental School
- Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine, Charleston
Dental Schools In Tennessee: 3 Dental Schools
- Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine
- Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, Nashville
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, Memphis
Dental Schools In Texas
Texas is home to 4 Dental Schools, which are:
- Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso-Hunt School of Dentistry, El Paso
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry, Houston
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry, San Antonio
Dental Schools In Utah: 2 Dental Schools
- Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, South Jordan
- University of Utah School of Dentistry, Salt Lake City
Dental Schools In Virginia: 1 Dental School
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond
Dental Schools In Washington: 1 Dental School
- University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle
Dental Schools In West Virginia: 1 Dental School
- West Virginia University School of Dentistry, Morgantown
Dental Schools In Wisconsin: 1 Dental School
- Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee
Which Is The Number 1 Dental College In The United States?
University of Michigan School of Dentistry is the number 1 dental school in the United States.
Some factors that make the University of Michigan School of Dentistry the number 1 college are strong academic courses, simulation labs that prepare students for the clinic, and the hands-on clinical experience they receive.
The average fee of the Michigan School of Dentistry is $497,152.
Besides, the average GPA required to get into the Michigan dental school is 3.81, while the average DAT score required is 22. Moreover, the acceptance rate of the dental school is just 6.5%.
Source: Amber Student.
Dental Schools In The United States Ranked
After Michigan School of Dentistry, the University of North Carolina is the most preferred dental school in the United States. Students need an average GPA of 3.6 to get into the Dental School of North Carolina, while the average DAT score required is 22.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine is the 3rd best Dental school in the United States. It has an acceptance rate of just 3.18%, and the average fee of the college is $470,380.
The following table displays the top dental schools in the United States and other details about them.
| Dental School | Average GPA Required | Average DAT Score | Average Fees | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan School of Dentistry | 3.81/4.0 | 22 | $497,152 | 6.5% |
| University of North Carolina | 3.6/4.0 | 22 | $485,861 | 17.1% |
| Harvard School of Dental Medicine | 3.85 /4.0 | 22 | $470,380 | 3.18% |
| University at Buffalo | 3.75/4.0 | 16 | $259,400 | 5.25% |
| Columbia University | 3.7/4.0 | 23.4 | $138,680 | 5% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 3.2 /4.0 | 20 | $143,122 | 6.1% |
| New York University | 3.5/4.0 | 21 | $626,384 | 11% |
| University of California, San Francisco | 3.6 /4.0 | 23 | $69,832 | 6.98 |
| University of Washington | 3.5/4.0 | 20.9 | $551,983 | 6.1% |
| UCLA School of Dentistry | 3.83/4.0 | 23 | $122,197 | 5% |
Source: Amber Student.
Which Are The Easiest Dental Colleges To Get Into?
Lincoln Memorial University has the highest acceptance rate of 26.94% and is the easiest dental college to get into as of 2024.
The average GPA required to get into the college is 3.40 out of 4.0, while the DAT academic average required is 18.8.
Comparatively, the University of Utah is the second easiest dental school to get in. The dental school has an acceptance rate of 25.73%.
Besides, New York University’s Dental School and The Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry are among the dental schools you may easily be accepted into.
The following table displays the dental schools that are easiest to get into according to the acceptance rates.
| Dental School | Acceptance Rate | Average GPA | Average DAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Memorial University | 26.94% | 3.40/4.0 | 18.8 |
| The University of Utah | 25.73% | 3.72/4.0 | 21.0 |
| The New York University’s Dental School | 25.49% | 3.41/4.0 | 21.0 |
| The Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry | 24.78% | 3.74/4.0 | 21.1 |
| The East Carolina School of Dental Medicine | 23.19% | 3.60/4.0 | 20.5 |
| University of Detroit Mercy’s Dental School | 22.64% | 3.66/4.0 | 20.2 |
| California Northstate University’s College of Dental Medicine | 22.29% | 3.30/4.0 | 20.0 |
| The University of Mississippi | 22.01% | 3.53/4.0 | 19.6 |
| University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine | 21.54% | 3.58/4.0 | 19.2 |
| University of Minnesota Dental School | 21.14% | 3.62/4.0 | 20.7 |
Source: Degree Choices.
Which Are The Hardest Dental Colleges To Get Into?
Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine has the lowest acceptance rate of 2.5%. This makes it hard to get into the Western University of Health Sciences dental college.
The dental college requires an average GPA of 3.24, while the average DAT score required to get into the college is 20.
Comparatively, Meharry Medical College has the second lowest acceptance rate of 2.9%.
At the same time, the other dental schools that are hardest to get into are the Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine and Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry.
The following table displays the hardest dental colleges to get into according to the acceptance rates.
| Dental School | Acceptance Rate | Average GPA | Average DAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine | 2.50% | 3.24/4.0 | 20 |
| Meharry Medical College | 2.90% | 3.5/4.0 | 17 |
| Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine | 2.74% | 3.65/4.0 | 20 |
| Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry | 3.20% | 3.6/4.0 | 20.9 |
| Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Dental Medicine | 3.20% | 3.58/4.0 | 20.3 |
| Harvard University School of Dental Medicine | 3.18% | 3.85/4.0 | 22 |
| University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine | 3.77% | 3.61/4.0 | 21 |
| University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine | 3.83% | 3.71/4.0 | 21.7 |
| Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health | 3.92% | 3.5/4.0 | 18.9 |
| Marquette University School of Dentistry | 4.40% | 3.57/4.0 | 20.7 |
Source: BeMo Academic Consulting.
How Long Is Dental School?
A traditional dental program lasts for four years. After four years, you can become a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, depending on your selected program.
In the first two years, students have to focus mainly on coursework, while in the third and fourth years, students receive hands-on training, and these years involve clinical rotations.
Furthermore, if you wish to specialize in an area of dentistry, you must undergo a one or two-year residency. Meanwhile, to specialize in oral surgery, you will need a four-year residency, while to become a medical doctor, a six-year program is required.
Conclusion: There Are 73 Accredited Dental Schools In The US in 2024
The number of accredited dental schools in the United States has grown from 67 in 2020 to 73 in 2024. Approximately 1 or 2 accredited dental colleges are opened each year.
That was all about the number of dental schools in the United States and the related information.
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