The best dental schools in the US are the cream of the crop in the respective category of dental institutions.
From the time of Sushruta (an ancient Indian sage acknowledged as the first dental anatomist) to Dr. Pierre Fauchard (the father of modern dentistry), dentistry has evolved, leaping and bounding.
On a similar note, dental schools have gotten impetus through state-of-the-art technologies such as CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and AI-powered diagnostics, making dentistry a more simplified yet intriguing discipline.
But, out of the myriad dental school options, which ones are the best?
Here are the optimal choices of the 20 best dental schools in the US to join in 2025.
20 Best Dental Schools in the US to Have a Thriving Dentistry Career in 2025
The US is known to have a good number of dental colleges, which have featured in the QS world university ranking, making it the most preferred destination for medical students aiming for a degree in dental studies.
Apart from that, the US has been chosen as the prime landing spot for several other education domains as well, such as the best art schools in the US.
Well, You can begin your learning from a young age, in CBSE school for clearance of basics. However, certain peculiar criteria have been set to filter out the best candidates for these institutions, such as the DAT (dental admission test) and the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score.
Although a multitude of institutions in the US provide a degree in dental science, some top dental schools need extensive consideration and can be opted for by medical students to pursue a career in this elite field.
Let’s discover their basic information through an elucidated description.
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Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
Average DAT Score: 20
Average GPA: 3.6
Total Cost: $101,872
Running the legacy since 1867, Harvard School of Dental Medicine has been one of the best colleges for dentistry in the USA. It is the smallest school at Harvard University, having a student count of less than 300 to maintain a good student-faculty ratio.
To provide holistic education, it has integrated dentistry and medicine, which enhances a well-rounded understanding of oral as well as overall health. This institution has also been renowned for conducting rich research initiatives and deriving commendable findings.
San Francisco School of Dentistry, University of California
Acceptance Rate: 4.3%
Average DAT Score: 22.6
Average GPA: 3.76
Total Cost: $443,208 (in-state), $492,188 (out of state)
The San Francisco School of Dentistry has been recognized as a leading dental institution in the US. Its MS, PhD, postgraduate, and residency courses in different disciplines exhibit noteworthy options for students. The exceptional 7th rank in the Academic Ranking of World Universities also makes it the finest option for students aiming for the best colleges for dentistry in the USA.
University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 6.6%
Average DAT Score: 22
Average GPA: 3.81
Total Cost: $422,894 (in-state); $497,152 (out-of-state)
With advancements in dental research and education, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry has become a global leader owing to its best results and commendable faculty.
Established in 1875, it is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, and has been engaged in oral and craniofacial health care education, patient care, research, and community service. Its bachelor’s and master’s in dental science, doctor of dental surgery programs, and Ph.D. courses cater to around 700 students.
School of Dentistry, University of Los Angeles
Acceptance Rate: 5.9%
Average DAT Score: 22
Average GPA: 3.72
Total Cost: $432,359 (in-state); $481,399 (out-of-state)
The School of Dentistry, University of Los Angeles, is a public dental school in Westwood, Los Angeles, US. Apart from the notable courses of dental degree, post-DDS, and graduate courses, the institution also provides a 2-year dental degree for foreign-trained students. It also provides provision for continuing dental education to some candidates falling in certain qualification categories.
College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average DAT Score: 22.8
Average GPA: 3.6
Total Cost: $557,614
Located in Manhattan, New York, The College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, is a private dental school. It provides an array of pre- and post-doctoral courses in various disciplines and has been one of the leading institutions involved in distinguished research programs. Besides academic excellence, it has also gathered applause for releasing annual publications containing productive and insightful discussions and findings.
School of Dentistry, University of Washington
Acceptance Rate: 8.6%
Average DAT Score: 20.9
Average GPA: 3.5
Total Cost: $420,265 (in-state); $551,983 (out-of-state)
The School of Dentistry, University of Washington, is a public dental school located in Seattle, US, and is one of the top federal grant-receiving dental schools in the US. With a count of 240 undergraduates and postgraduates pursuing various courses, it has been maintaining a good faculty-student ratio to continue effective studies. The institution provides about 20 dental courses with an average program length of 30 months.
School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate: 6.8%
Average DAT Score: 22
Average GPA: 3.7
Total Cost: $555,922
Also dubbed Penn Dental, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine is a Philadelphia-based dental school. This dental school was established in 1852. Since then, it has been graduating skilled and accomplished dentists and has also been involved in interdisciplinary research, which is a hallmark of this institute. Being a school under an Ivy League university, it has been renowned for providing nearly 30 programs with an average term of 29 months.
Dental school at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
Acceptance Rate: 6.3%
Average DAT Score: 17
Average GPA: 2.8
Total Cost: $77,308 (in-state), $88,108 (out-of-state)
Situated in Texas, the Dental School at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio has been able to set a benchmark in the dentistry field in a short span. It provides programs in some of the most desired disciplines, such as orthodontics, general dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. The faculty of this top dental school in Texas has also developed the first digital panoramic X-ray device in America.
Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Acceptance Rate: 5.9%
Average DAT Score: 22
Average GPA: 3.6
Total Cost: $330,805 (in-state); $485,861 (out-of-state)
Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a renowned public institution in North Carolina, US. It has been occupied with craniofacial and oral healthcare education, research, patient care, and services.
Along with its doctoral and master’s degrees in various disciplines, its Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists (ASPID) provides an exceptional opportunity for graduates of foreign dental schools who aim to supplement their training and knowledge in dentistry.
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average DAT Score: 20.7
Average GPA: 3.7
Total Cost: $88,000 – $176,000 (depending on the course)
Established in 1897, the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, is a private dental school having a commendable record of graduating outstanding dentists. Apart from the DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) program, it also provides online master’s degrees and certificate programs in oral pathology and radiology, geriatric dentistry, community oral health, etc.
Reed Holdaway, the renowned orthodontist who developed the Holdaway soft tissue analysis, received a dental degree from this esteemed institution.
New York University College of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 11.9%
Average DAT score: 21
Average GPA: 3.5
Total Cost: $626,384
The New York University College of Dentistry is the 3rd oldest dentistry school in the US, with one of the biggest dental libraries, having 1000 volumes. Its exceptional feature is that it has regularized digital textbooks in place of traditional textbooks since 2001, facilitating easy and inclusive education in an environmentally sustainable manner. Certain notable alumni, such as Irvin Smigel and Frank A. Gough, also add to the prestige of the institutions.
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 4.6%
Average DAT Score: 20-21
Average GPA: 3.5
Total Cost: $85,308 – $127,962
Established in 1891, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry is a public dental school. This dental school has covered academic, research, and patient care domains effectively through its online doctoral, MS, PhD, and other programs. It is also a Carnegie Level 1 research institution, making it one of the best dental schools in the US.
Iowa’s College of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 7.4%
Average DAT Score: 21
Average GPA: 3.7
Total Cost: $84,027 to $88,085
Located in Iowa City, US, Iowa’s College of Dentistry is the only dental school in Iowa and one of the best colleges for dentistry in the USA. It offers degrees in DDS, M.S. in oral sciences, and Ph.D. in oral sciences. However, the admission criteria include certain notable provisions related to NBDE, INBDE, and TOEFL.
College of Dental Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences
Acceptance Rate: 2.5%
Average DAT Score: 19.6
Average GPA: 3.25
Total Cost: $101,383 to $98,528
The College of Dental Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, is a private medical university in California established in 1977, having more than 3500 students enrolled. Its 20+ academic programs provided in different colleges are a peculiar fact.
The commendable research in neurobiology, molecular disease, and infectious disease further adds to its prestige and makes it one of the best dental schools in California. For its meritorious record, it has been ranked 117th in US News and World Report 2024. Students looking for medical school admission can opt for it.
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 4.5%
Average DAT Score: 19.8
Average GPA: 3.5
Total Cost: $96,076
Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine is a renowned dental college at Boston University. Its applied, professional, experience-based curriculum has been instrumental in providing practical experience to the students during their academic term. The institution possesses a capacity for 750+ students, providing pre-doctoral (DMD, advanced standing DMD) and post-doctoral (Endodontics, Implantology, Periodontology, advanced education in general dentistry) courses to exhibit the best course options to the students.
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 1.25%
Average DAT Score: 20.8
Average GPA: 3.6
Total Cost: $107,778 (in-state); $154,857 (out-of-state)
Founded in 1840, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry has been recognized as the first dental college in the world and still the only dental school in Maryland. Its curriculum integrates basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences, where the students experience patient care services during 1st year of their course.
The comprehensive courses and programs providing scholarly experience in health education, searches, and research have been praised and admired. John Mankey Riggs, one of its alumni, was a leading figure in periodontal disease at such a level that the disease came to be known as Riggs’ Disease.
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 4.1%
Average DAT Score: 21.4
Average GPA: 3.71
Total Cost: $38,580 (in-state); $66,800 (out-of-state)
Guided by the mission of providing exemplary-level education, research, outreach, and patient services, the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine has been outshining in the dental education field since 1892.
The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) has ranked it 10th in the US in dental and oral science. Carl Frank Gugino, the American orthodontist who has developed a computerized cephalometric and visual treatment objective program, belongs to this elite institution.
University of Florida College of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average DAT Score: 20
Average GPA: 3.7
Total Cost: $119,509
Popular for its emphasis on rural and community health initiatives, the College of Dentistry, University of Florida, is one of the best dental schools in Florida. This dental school is known for a harmonious balance of clinical practice with community outreach, which strengthens the foundation of the students. Its research faculty has been involved in notable projects and has received a good amount of grants of $14.4 M.
UConn School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average DAT Score: 21-22
Average GPA: 3.5
Total Cost: $44,402 (in-state), $86,463 (out-of-state)
The University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine strives to push the boundaries by providing the best-in-class education and conducting scholarly research and deriving new information. The grading system of the institution results in pass/fail rather than class ranks, which brings more equity to the competition.
Its exceptional faculty-student ratio of 3.26, as compared to 4.77 nationally, makes it a good option in the US. Considering its research field, the school received over $10M in research funding annually, which fuels its atypical research projects.
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 6.4%
Average DAT Score: 20.7
Average GPA: 3.7
Total Cost: $32,860 (in-state), $76,594 (Out of state)
Located at Birmingham, the School of Dentistry, University of Alabama has 7 departments, flourishing programs in major dental specialties. Admission to this elite institution requires a PTE (Pearson Test of English) score, which gauges the student’s proficiency in the English language. The progressive research environment gives it an extra edge over other options.
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Conclusion
Wrapping up the discussion over best dental schools in the Us, it is highly advised that the medical students should go through all the options and get in touch with the faculty of the respective dental school before setting the seal on the final choice. But before it, one needs to get a good GPA and score well in DAT to make oneself eligible for the dream institution.
Getting admitted to such esteemed institutions will not only ensure a secure career but also unlock several opportunities in research and community participation as well.
FAQ
Ans: As per QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has been ranked 1st in the top dental school rankings.
Ans: The cost of pursuing a dental course depends on the program, institution, and nature of the institute, i.e., public or private school. Considering all this, the general cost of pursuing a dental course in the US can range from $50,000 to $120,000 annually.
Ans: DAT stands for Dental Admission Test, which is an MCQ-based exam conducted for candidates aspiring to join dental colleges in the US and Canada.
Ans: The QS world university ranking has ranked it at 6th globally in the subject category.
