The 15 easiest dental schools to get into – in 2024
The easiest dental schools to get into are Lincoln Memorial University, University of Utah, and New York University .
Dental school is even harder to get into than medical school.
While it doesn’t really matter where you went to dental school in terms of your career, some dental schools are better value than others.
The best-value dental school in 2023-2024 is East Carolina University.
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Applying to dental school can feel like getting a tooth pulled. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be – save your energy by applying to programs you stand a chance of getting accepted to.
To help you choose what colleges to target, we list the easiest dental schools to get into according to official data compiled by the American Dental Association (ADA).
And, to save you not just time, but also money, we discuss whether less selective dental schools (we’ll be honest – they’re all pretty selective) are in any way “worse” –at least in terms of investment value.
» Also read: How many colleges should I apply to?
The 15 easiest dental schools to get into
This list shows the easiest dental schools to get into and their acceptance rate for 2022-2023, according to the ADA. We also show how much weight each dental program places on various aspects of your application. For more details about where we got our information, see the “Our sources” section below.
Click on each school below to see full details.
- Average DAT score: 18.8
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.40
Lincoln Memorial University is a private, not-for-profit university in Harrogate, Tennessee, close to the beautiful Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. It has the highest dental school acceptance rate. LMU has more postgraduate students than undergraduates.
The minimum requirements for getting into LMU include 8 semester hours each of general biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English (with labs required for all science courses). Undergraduate applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.3 and score at least 19 on the DAT.
They should also complete 60 hours of job shadowing in a dentist’s office and pass the chalk/soap carving exercise (which measures your dexterity) with at least a 7/12.
Candidates must pass a criminal background check and a drug test.
Despite being the least selective dental school, when surveyed by the American Dental Association, LMU responded that it considers all aspects of the dental school application “very important.”
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Very important
- Reading Comprehension: Very important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Very important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Very important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Very important
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Very important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
- Average DAT score: 21.0
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.72
U of U is a large, public research university in Salt Lake City. Originally called the University of Deseret, it is the state’s oldest institution of higher learning.
The University of Utah states that applications are considered “holistically.” However, they do require a minimum 3.0 GPA and a DAT score of 17. Candidates should have taken anatomy, biochemistry, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, English composition, microbiology, physics, and physiology.
Other requirements include submitting CASPer and Duet assessments, completing a minimum of 80 hours of dental shadowing, and procuring 3 letters of recommendation.
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Somewhat important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Somewhat important
- Organic Chemistry: Somewhat important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Somewhat important
- Community service: Somewhat important
- Professional experience: Somewhat important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Somewhat important
- Average DAT score: 21.0
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.41
NYU is a private research university in New York City. The College of Dentistry is located in Manhattan, and is the 3rd oldest dentistry school in the U.S.
To get into NYU’s dental school, you will need to have taken 2 semesters (3 quarters) of the following pre-requisite courses as an undergrad: biology with lab, inorganic/general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab, and English. NYU does not specify a minimum DAT or GPA.
You will also need 3 individual letters of evaluation (or one committee evaluation), 100 hours of dental shadowing, and a KIRA assessment. The importance of each component of the application to NYU’s College of Dentistry, according to an ADA survey, is as follows:
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Somewhat important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Very important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Very important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Very important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Very important
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Very important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
- Average DAT score: 21.1
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.74
As the name suggests, this public research university, which is located in Portland, mainly focuses on health sciences. It has 2 research hospitals attached. The OHSU School of Dentistry is the only dental school in the state of Oregon.
OHSU recommends having a minimum GPA of 3.0 (both cumulative and for science courses), although in reality most students’ GPA is much higher. The School of Dentistry requires applicants to have completed the following prerequisite courses with a C or higher: general biology with labs, general chemistry with labs, organic chemistry with labs, physics with labs, biochemistry, English composition, and math/statistics. Other “recommended” courses include anatomy, genetics, histology, and others.
Applicants must also have 50 hours of dental observation and 3 letters of recommendation (2 from science faculty and 1 from a dental professional/pre-professional committee letter). They must meet OHSU’s health/immunization requirements, submit a criminal history review, and undergo a drug screening.
According to a survey by the ADA, the importance of each component of the application for OHSU is as follows:
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Very important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Somewhat important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Very important
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Very important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
- Average DAT score: 20.5
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.60
This public research university in Greenville, North Carolina is the 4th largest university in the state. The East Carolina School of Dental Medicine was established specifically to address the shortage of dentists in rural North Carolina, which is an underserved region.
Only residents of North Carolina are eligible to apply to this dentistry school. Check its website for details about who qualifies as a resident.
Required undergraduate courses include 8 semester hours of biological sciences, general/inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and general physics, and 6 semester hours each of English and mathematics. Students need a C or higher in all these classes. The school also recommends that you take biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, statistics, among others.
ECU requires applicants to submit a letter of recommendation from a pre-health committee if their undergraduate university has such an option. Otherwise, applicants will need to procure 1 letter of recommendation from a biology professor and 1 from a chemistry professor. All applicants must also obtain a letter of recommendation from a dentist.
DAT
- Academic average: Somewhat unimportant
- Perceptual ability: Not important
- Total science: Somewhat important
- Quantitative: Not available
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Very important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Somewhat important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Somewhat important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Not applicable
- Community service: Somewhat important
- Professional experience: Somewhat important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Somewhat important
- Average DAT score: 20.2
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.66
University of Detroit Mercy is a private Catholic university located in Detroit, Michigan. It is sponsored jointly by the Jesuits and the Sisters of Mercy.
The School of Dentistry prides itself on providing reduced-cost services to the local community, including a mobile clinic in a customized RV, where student doctors operate under the supervision of faculty.
UDM’s dental school requirements are rigorous. Students are recommended to have at least a 3.0 GPA and a minimum DAT score of 18 per section, although a score of 20 is considered competitive. It also requires 3 letters of recommendation: 2 from science professors and 1 from a practicing dentist.
In addition, prospective students need 8 semester hours of general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as 6 semester hours of English. They also need 3 or 4 semester hours of biochemistry and microbiology. While C grades are expected for all pre-requisite classes, B grades are more competitive.
DAT
- Academic average: Somewhat important
- Perceptual ability: Somewhat important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Very important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Very important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Somewhat important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Not important
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Somewhat important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
- Average DAT score: 20.0
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.30
California Northstate University is a private, for-profit medical school in Elk Grove, California.
The College of Dental Medicine has stringent requirements for potential students. Required coursework includes 1 semester of human anatomy, 2 semesters of English, 2 semesters of biology with lab, 2 semesters of inorganic (general) chemistry with lab, 2 semesters of organic chemistry with lab, 2 semesters of physics, and 1 semester of biochemistry. Microbiology, physiology, statistics, social sciences, immunology, and foreign language coursework is also highly recommended.
Applicants need a minimum science GPA and overall GPA of 2.80, although most students here had an undergraduate GPA of 3.40 or over. DAT scores are expected to be 18 or higher.
Students must also take the CASPer test.
Note that because this is a for-profit university, students are not eligible for federal student loans.
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Somewhat important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Somewhat important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Somewhat important
- Organic Chemistry: Somewhat important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Somewhat unimportant
- Community service: Somewhat important
- Professional experience: Very important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
- Average DAT score: 19.6
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.53
The University of Mississippi, often called Ole Miss, is a public research university. While the main campus is in the town of Oxford, the UMMC School of Dentistry is in Jackson. It is the state’s only dental school.
The college gives preference to residents of the state of Mississippi.
As bachelor’s students, prospective dentists at Ole Miss need to have taken 2 semesters each of English, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, and general biology or zoology, as well as 1 semester each of microbiology, statistics, and biochemistry.
Candidates must take the DAT, but no minimum score is disclosed. They should have a minimum of 79 hours of dental shadowing with at least 4 dentists. 100 hours of community service is also required. Research experience is recommended. The University of Mississippi requires 4 letters of recommendations: 2 from science professors, 1 from a dentist you shadowed, and 1 from a community service supervisor.
DAT
- Academic average: Somewhat important
- Perceptual ability: Somewhat important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Very important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat unimportant
- Overall: Somewhat important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Not applicable
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Very important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Somewhat important
- Average DAT score: 19.2
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.58
This private research university in Maine has several campuses, but the College of Dental Medicine is located in the town of Portland. UNE, which is the largest private university in Maine, is home to the only dental college in northern New England.
If you want to be accepted, you’ll need 4 semesters of general biology, 4-8 semesters of anatomy/physiology, 4 semesters of microbiology, 4 semesters of general chemistry, 4 semesters of biochemistry, 3 semesters of English composition, and 12 semesters of additional coursework in biology, chemistry, calculus, or physics. You’ll also need at least a C (not a C minus) grade.
Although a minimum score is not specified, applicants must take the DAT score. They will also need 2 letters of evaluation: one from a science professor, and the second, optimally, from a dentist.
A minimum of 30 hours of dental shadowing is required, and community service is strongly encouraged.
DAT
- Academic average: Somewhat important
- Perceptual ability: Somewhat important
- Total science: Somewhat important
- Quantitative: Not important
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Somewhat important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Somewhat important
- Organic Chemistry: Somewhat important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Somewhat important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Not applicable
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Somewhat important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Somewhat important
- Average DAT score: 20.7
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.62
UM is a public research university located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. It is often considered a “Public Ivy.” It is home to the only dental school in the state. Notably, it is the only dental school between Milwaukee and Seattle.
The GPA range at the University of Minnesota for the entering class of 2020 was 2.71 to 4.0, while the academic average DAT score range was 17-26. To be competitive, applicants should have GPAs and DAT scores well above the lower ends of these ranges.
To get into this dental school, you will need to obtain 3 letters of recommendation: 2 from science or math professors and 1 from an employer or supervisor when you were volunteering, working, or conducting research. You will also need to complete 50 hours of job shadowing with a dentist.
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Very important
- Biology: Somewhat important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Somewhat important
- Organic Chemistry: Somewhat important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Very important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Not applicable
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Very important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Somewhat important
- Average DAT score: 18.0
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.31
One of the nation’s preeminent HBCUs (historically Black colleges/universities), Howard is a private research university located in Washington D.C. The Howard University College of Dentistry is the only dental school in the U.S. capital. It is the fifth oldest school of dentistry in the country.
To be a competitive candidate, Howard expects applicants to have an average academic DAT score of 18 (18 for total science and 20 for reading comprehension). They should also have a minimum science GPA of 2.8.
It also requires 6 semesters of English composition/literature, 8 semesters of inorganic chemistry with lab, 8 semesters of organic chemistry with lab, 3 semesters of biochemistry, 4 semesters of human anatomy, 8 semesters of physics, and 22 semesters of electives. It also recommends 4 semesters of physiology and 4 semesters of microbiology.
Applicants submit a criminal background check, get certified in basic life support emergency procedures/CPR, and prove a certain degree of manual dexterity.
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Very important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Very important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Somewhat important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Somewhat important
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Somewhat important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
- Average DAT score: 20.2
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.59
UofL is a public research university in Louisville, Kentucky. The School of Dentistry is located on the Health Sciences Center campus in downtown Louisville.
Required undergraduate coursework for UofL’s dental program includes 16 credit hours of biology, 8 each of general and organic chemistry, and 3 credit hours each of physics and biochemistry. Coursework in microbiology, upper-level human anatomy, upper-level physiology, histology, immunology, and other upper-level human biology courses are also recommended.
Minimum or competitive DAT scores and GPA are not disclosed.
Candidates will need to take the CASPer test, which assesses non-cognitive and interpersonal skills, and procure 3 letters of evaluation or a pre-professional committee letter. They will also need at least 40 hours of dental shadowing and observation.
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Somewhat important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat unimportant
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Somewhat important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Somewhat important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Not applicable
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Somewhat important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
- Average DAT score: 20.9
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.63
Ohio State University, usually referred to as Ohio State or OSU, is a public research university in Columbus, the state’s capital. The OSU College of Dentistry is the state’s only dental school.
Prospective dental students must earn a C or higher in the following classes: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, English composition, a second writing course, microbiology, and physics.
Although the minimum GPA you need to get into Ohio State is 3.0 (including minimum 3.0 for science classes), it recommends a total GPA of 3.6 (3.5 for science classes). Likewise, minimum DAT scores are 17 (academic average, perceptual ability, and total science), but students should aim for 20 (academic average and perceptual ability).
A minimum of 40 hours of dental observation are also required, although most students have 120. Observation hours should be spread between 5 or 6 practitioners.
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Somewhat important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Somewhat important
- Organic Chemistry: Somewhat important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Somewhat important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Not applicable
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Somewhat important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
- Average DAT score: 20.5
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.73
Herman Ostrow is the dental school of the University of Southern California, a private college in Los Angeles. The program has a Mobile Dental Clinic that provides free dental care to low-income people.
If you want to get into USC’s dental school, you will need to take several prerequisite courses as an undergraduate: general biology, general physics, inorganic/general chemistry, and organic chemistry (1 year + 1 year lab for each), 1 year of English composition, and 1 year of philosophy, history, or fine arts. You must achieve a C grade or higher.
In addition, you’ll need 2 letters of recommendation from biology, chemistry, or physics professors (or a committee letter), and 1 letter of recommendation from a dentist.
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Very important
- Quantitative: Very important
- Reading Comprehension: Very important
- Biology: Very important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Very important
- Organic Chemistry: Very important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Very important
- Overall: Very important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Very important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Somewhat important
- Community service: Somewhat important
- Professional experience: Somewhat important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Somewhat important
- Average DAT score: 20.1
- Average pre-dental GPA: 3.71
This public research university is usually referred to as UMKC or simply Kansas City. The School of Dentistry is located in the Hospital Hill area of Kansas City. It is the only public dental school in Missouri.
In its admissions, it gives preference to students from Missouri, as well as Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Hawaii.
Aspiring UMKC dental students must demonstrate a high level of aptitude through the following prerequisites:
They must have a minimum DAT score of 16 (academic average), although 17 and above is preferred, and 20 is the average for most accepted students. The admissions page notes that your competitiveness will be impacted if you have multiple sub-scores below 17.
Likewise, applicants should have a minimum science and math GPA of 3.0, although 3.4 and up is preferred, and 3.7 is the average. Academic prerequisites include 1 semester each (with lab when possible) of general biology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, as well as either cell biology, histology, microbiology, or molecular biology. Applicants must also have 2 semesters (with lab if possible) of chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English composition.
Applicants must also have 100 hours of dental shadowing or work experience with 3 or more dental practices, as well as 100 hours of community service at 3 different organizations. They must also take the CASPer exam to assess their interpersonal skills.
DAT
- Academic average: Very important
- Perceptual ability: Very important
- Total science: Somewhat important
- Quantitative: Somewhat important
- Reading Comprehension: Somewhat important
- Biology: Somewhat important
- Inorganic Chemistry: Somewhat important
- Organic Chemistry: Somewhat important
Pre-dental GPA
- Science: Very important
- Non-science: Somewhat unimportant
- Overall: Somewhat important
Other factors
- Interview: Very important
- Letters of Recommendation: Somewhat important
- Manual dexterity measurement: Somewhat important
- Community service: Very important
- Professional experience: Very important
- Overcoming personal/financial challenges: Very important
Our sources
Information on dental school acceptance rates comes from the American Dental Association (ADA), which is the main accrediting body for dental programs in the U.S. and Canada. Each year, the ADA colleges surveys dental schools on multiple data points, including acceptance rates, tuition, graduation rates, demographics, and more.
The ADA also asks dental schools how much importance they place on DAT scores and GPA/other factors (very important, somewhat important, somewhat unimportant, not important). It publishes these findings in Excel spreadsheets on its website.
We got the admissions requirements for various dental schools from the universities’ respective websites.
» Also read: How to become a dentist
How hard is it to get into dental school?
On average, the acceptance rate for dental school is 13.1%.
The table below shows the acceptance rates of all accredited dental schools in the US. We also indicate average DAT scores (academic average) and pre-dental GPA (overall), for the latest available year, which is 2022-2023.
The mean DAT score for people admitted to dental school in the U.S. in 2022-2023 was 20.7, while the mean overall pre-Dental GPA was 3.62.
All the schools in this table deemed average DAT scores and cumulative undergraduate GPA to be “very important” components of the application process, unless marked SI (somewhat important), SU (somewhat unimportant), or NI (not important).
| Dental school | Acceptance rate | Average AA DAT score (importance for application) | Average overall pre-Dental GPA (importance for application) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Memorial University | 26.94% | 18.8 | 3.4 |
| University of Utah | 25.73% | 21 | 3.72 |
| New York University | 25.49% | 21 | 3.41 |
| Oregon Health & Science University | 24.78% | 21.2 | 3.74 |
| East Carolina University | 23.19% | 20.5 (SU) | 3.6 (SI) |
| University of Detroit Mercy | 22.64% | 20.2 (SI) | 3.66 |
| California Northstate University | 22.29% | 20 | 3.3 |
| University of Mississippi | 22.01% | 19.6 (SI) | 3.53 (SI) |
| University of New England | 21.54% | 19.2 (SI) | 3.58 |
| University of Minnesota | 21.14% | 20.7 | 3.62 |
| Howard University | 20.14% | 18 (SI) | 3.31 (SI) |
| University of Louisville | 20.02% | 20.2 | 3.59 |
| Ohio State University | 19.16% | 20.9 | 3.63 |
| Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC | 18.17% | 20.5 | 3.73 |
| Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC | 18.17% | 20.5 | 3.73 |
| University of Missouri, Kansas City | 18.13% | 20.1 | 3.71 (SI) |
| University of Iowa | 16.61% | 21 | 3.73 |
| Touro College of Dental Medicine | 16.36% | 21.4 | 3.54 |
| Temple University | 15.49% | 21.3 | 3.57 |
| Nova Southeastern University | 15.03% | 21 | 3.7 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 14.66% | 22.9 | 3.77 |
| Loma Linda University | 14.05% | 20.2 | 3.5 |
| Case Western Reserve University | 13.98% | 20.8 | 3.51 |
| Texas Tech University | 13.88% | 20.2 | 3.67 (SI) |
| LSU Health Sciences Center | 13.85% | 21.1 | 3.62 |
| University of Kentucky | 13.73% | 20 | 3.63 |
| Stony Brook University | 13.61% | 21.9 | 3.74 |
| University of Maryland | 13.48% | 21 | 3.6 |
| Southern Illinois University | 13.15% | 21 | 3.68 |
| Midwestern University – AZ | 12.83% | 19.8 | 3.54 (SI) |
| Midwestern University – IL | 12.67% | 19.2 (SI) | 3.41 (SI) |
| Creighton University | 12.38% | 20 | 3.62 |
| University of Michigan | 12.33% | 22.5 | 3.8 |
| University of Washington | 12.32% | 21 | 3.61 |
| University of the Pacific | 12.07% | 22.5 | 3.63 |
| University of Alabama | 11.94% | 21.3 | 3.77 |
| Boston University | 11.93% | 21.1 (SI) | 3.53 (SI) |
| Augusta University | 11.76% | 21 | 3.74 |
| University of Tennessee | 11.69% | 20.1 | 3.66 |
| Tufts University | 11.45% | 19 | 3.32 |
| Rutgers School of Dental Medicine | 10.76% | 21.2 | 3.65 |
| University of Puerto Rico | 10.58% | 19.2 | 3.54 |
| Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health | 10.56% | 20.7 | 3.71 |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | 10.53% | 21.3 | 3.62 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 10.43% | 21.8 | 3.77 |
| UT Health San Antonio | 9.78% | 20.7 | 3.63 |
| Indiana University | 9.55% | 22 | 3.75 |
| Texas A&M University | 9.52% | 20.7 | 3.72 |
| University of Pittsburgh | 9.44% | 23 (SI) | 3.83 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 9.44% | 22 | 3.82 |
| University of Florida | 9.43% | 19.6 | 3.32 (SI) |
| Roseman University of Health Sciences | 9.20% | 20.9 | 3.49 (NI) |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | 9.11% | 19 (SI) | 3.67 |
| West Virginia University | 9.07% | 20 | 3.7 |
| LECOM School of Dental Medicine | 8.59% | 19.7 | 3.67 |
| University of Oklahoma | 8.39% | 19.8 | 3.62 (SI) |
| Medical University of South Carolina | 8.25% | 18 | 3.43 (SI) |
| Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health | 8.08% | 20.5 | 3.64 |
| Marquette University | 7.89% | 21.4 | 3.69 |
| University at Buffalo | 7.85% | 22.5 | 3.65 |
| University of North Carolina | 7.82% | 23 | 3.68 (SI) |
| University of California, San Francisco | 7.70% | 20 (SI) | 3.66 (SI) |
| University of Illinois, Chicago | 7.70% | 20 | 3.5 |
| University of Colorado | 7.35% | 20 | 3.35 (SI) |
| Western University of Health Sciences | 7.08% | 22.1 | 3.83 (SI) |
| University of Texas at Houston | 6.47% | 21 | 3.63 |
| University of Connecticut | 6.45% | 24 | 3.73 |
| Columbia University | 5.52% | 24.8 | 3.94 |
| Harvard University | 5.14% | 17.4 | 3.27 |
| Meharry Medical College | 5.02% | 18.8 | 3.4 |
Is dental school easier to get into than medical school?
As of 2022, dental school is harder to get into than medical school: whereas 13.1% of dental school applications were successful in 2022-2023, 41.9% of students were accepted to medical school from 2021 to 2023/24.
Although the number for med school may seem high, remember that the requirements for even applying are already very rigorous.
Feeling a little intimidated by dental school’s crazy competitiveness? There are plenty of other high paying careers in allied health besides dentistry.
How to get into dental school: 5 major steps
To get into dental school, you’ll need to have started a bachelor’s (you don’t need to have finished college to start your application, but you will need to complete your degree eventually).
1. Have a strong GPA and take lots of science classes
Dental schools don’t require you to major in anything specific, but they will expect you to have a strong science foundation, with good grades in biology, chemistry, and physics, usually with lab components. Dental schools often look at your science and math GPA separately from your overall GPA.
Dental schools will also want letters of recommendation (usually several) from a science instructor, so work hard to build relationships with your professors. Some dental schools also accept a “committee letter” from a pre-health program rather than letters of recommendation. Ask your academic advisor if your college offers this service.
2. Do great on the DAT
You’ll need to take the Dental Admission Test, which takes 4.5 hours to complete and costs $525.
The DAT is a grueling exam that consists of multiple parts: reading comprehension, perceptual ability, quantitative reasoning, biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Your final score is referred to as your “academic average.”
Some dental schools may be more interested in how you did on certain parts of the test. For example, some place high importance on “quantitative reasoning,” while others mostly care about your science scores. Dental programs usually disclose this information on their website.
3. Job-shadow a dentist
Most dental schools expect you to have 30 to 100 hours (or more) of observation at a dentist’s office, usually with multiple dentists. Be friendly with the dentists you job shadow; one of them will be writing yet another letter of recommendation for you.
4. Jump through all the final hoops
Many dental programs have other miscellaneous requirements. Some require you to volunteer your time through community service, take an interpersonal skills assessment such as CASPer, pass a manual dexterity test, or undergo a drugs test.
You’ll also need to muster up letters of recommendation from former professors and the dentists you job shadowed.
5. Apply via the AADSAS
With college, the DAT, and job-shadowing under your belt, you can apply for dental schools via the ADEA AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service). The AADSAS is a unified service that allows you to send your DAT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any other materials to multiple dental schools at once.
The application has 4 main components:
- Academic history: your transcripts/grades
- Personal information: your up-to-date email, address, and telephone number
- Supporting information: your main personal statement and letters of recommendation
- Program materials: any additional essays or information required by specific schools
After you’ve submitted your application, universities will (hopefully) contact you for an interview.
Does it matter what dental school you get into?
Yes and no. All accredited dental schools allow you to become a dentist, and dentists make good money, regardless of their alma mater. So don’t worry too much if you only apply to less selective dental schools.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dentists’ median earnings are $159,530 per year.
That said, not all dental schools are an equally good investment.
To find out which dental schools give you the biggest bang for your buck, we analyzed data from the National Center for Education Statistics on median earnings and student loan debt of dental school grads. We don’t have data on all dental schools, since they don’t all submit complete data, but we were able to run the numbers for 52 of the 69 accredited dental schools.
We found that 4 years after leaving dental school, graduates’ median salaries ranged greatly: from $164,107 per year for the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, to $91,410 for the University of Utah. This is a difference of $81,040 annually.
Top earning dental schools
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – $164,107
- University of Florida – $163,296
- East Carolina University – $162,247
Lowest earning dental schools
- University of Utah – $91,410
- University of Southern California – $99,495
- Medical University of South Carolina – $102,370
Conversely, some dental schools are saddling graduates with far more student loans than others. At graduation, students at the schools below had the most and least student debt (note that this doesn’t include undergrad loans).
Dental schools with the highest average debt
- University of Southern California – $99,495
- New York University – $124,055
- Case Western Reserve University – $140,038
Dental schools with the lowest average debt
- University of Connecticut – $132,469
- East Carolina University – $132,899
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – $161,854
The dental schools with the best economic value
To determine which dental schools are the best value for money, offering the optimal combination of high earnings and low costs, we turned to our signature degree ranking methodology. Our system ranks colleges by return on investment (ROI). Note that our rankings only include colleges that submit data to the NCES, and for-profit colleges are not included.
By value for money, the top 3 best-value dental schools are:
- East Carolina University
- University of Connecticut
- Texas A & M University, College Station
Final thoughts
No matter which way you look at it, dental school is hard to get into.
But the most selective dental schools don’t necessarily have the most (financially) successful graduates.
Harvard and Columbia may only accept 5% of applicants to their dentistry programs, but dentists who went to colleges with less name recognition, like East Carolina University and Marquette, end up with higher salaries 4 years after graduation.
Focus your energy on universities you have a good chance of getting into, and favor more affordable options. Keep your eye on the prize (or the uvula) and good luck!
www.degreechoices.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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