Getting into dental school is harder than most people expect.
Acceptance rates at the top programs sit between 3% and 6%.
Out of every 100 people who apply to Harvard School of Dental Medicine, fewer than 4 get in.
The good news is that there are clear patterns in what the best schools look for.
A strong GPA and DAT score are just the starting point.
The best dental schools in the US want well-rounded, community-driven, research-curious applicants.
Finding a helpful ranking of the best dental schools is more difficult than for many other types of schools.
This is because several years ago, most dental schools boycotted US News and World Report due to their ranking methodology.
As a result, US News and World Report stopped publishing dental school rankings that offer advanced dentistry degrees.
There are other dental school rankings that are based on research publications.
A school’s research publication record, however, is a criterion that is not necessarily relevant to many aspiring dentists.
To address this, we have curated a list of the best dental schools in the U.S. based on a combination of sources.
This ranking takes into account acceptance rates, average DAT scores and GPA, and specifics that make the school unique.
All of the dental schools on this list are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
CODA is the national accrediting organization for dental schools in the US.
As of 2025, there are 72 accredited dental schools in the United States.
NIH research funding has become one of the most reliable ways to measure a dental school’s academic strength.
Schools that receive the most NIH funding tend to offer the most hands-on research opportunities for students, which can make a big difference for those planning to specialize or pursue a residency.
Dental education is also changing fast.
The top schools are now integrating AI-driven diagnostics, 3D imaging, and digital dentistry tools directly into their curriculum.
By the time you graduate from one of these programs, you will be trained on technology that did not exist a decade ago.
Knowing what dental and healthcare graduates typically earn can also help you weigh the return on your investment before committing to a six-figure tuition bill.
Top 5 Dental Schools in the U.S.
5. University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
The School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania ranks 5th on our list of top U.S. dental schools.
One of the Ivy League campuses, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine is certainly a distinguished program.
It is also among the oldest dental university programs in the country, as are others on this list.
The university is a leader in research, especially about microbial flora in the mouth, virology, inflammation, and tooth development.
They also research new dental materials and their various applications.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s dental school and its medical school often collaborate.
Penn Dental is widely recognized as a leader in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, and its curriculum places a strong emphasis on patient-centered care and clinical innovation.
Out of 2400 hopeful applicants, 5% were accepted overall and 13.6% of in-state applicants were accepted.
Classes have about 135 students each, and students pay $507,859 for four years of attendance.
- The average accepted student has a GPA of 3.7 and a DAT score of 22.
- Dental School Website: dental.upenn.edu
4. University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry
The world-renowned University of California has two campuses on our list.
The first is the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, ranking 4th best dental school.
UCSF School of Dentistry had 1900 applicants and accepted 4.7% overall and 8.9% of in-state applicants.
Founded in 1881, it is one of the oldest university-based dental schools in the country.
UCSF is the highest-ranked dental school in the US for NIH funding, receiving approximately $34 million in extramural research funds annually.
This makes it the top choice for students who want a research-focused career in dentistry.
The school also ranks in the top 10 globally for dentistry according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.
About 66% of the school’s dentistry students are in-state, and the average class size is 88.
The cost of attendance for four years is $390,787 for in-state students and $439,767 for out-of-state.
- The average GPA of accepted students is 3.65, and the average DAT score is 22.8.
- Dental School Website: dentistry.ucsf.edu
3. University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry
The University of California, LA School of Dentistry is one of the most prestigious dental schools in the country, ranking 3rd on this list.
With 2000 applicants, UCLA School of Dentistry accepted 4.5% overall and 8.3% of its in-state applicants.
The university is on the cutting edge of research, including cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, craniofacial biology and bioengineering, and infections.
It also has an impressive array of specialized clubs and associations.
UCLA is particularly well-regarded for its programs in prosthodontics and oral pathology.
Like the other UC dental school campus, its average class size is 88 dentistry students.
About 70% of these students come from in-state.
In-state students can expect to pay $378,673 for four years, and out-of-state students pay $427,653.
- Accepted students have an average GPA of 3.72 and a DAT score of 22.
- Dental School Website: dentistry.ucla.edu/
2. University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Did you know that around 44% of dental school graduates in Michigan are U-M Grads?
In addition, the number of dental school graduates increased recently.
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is ranked 2nd on our list, though some rankings put it at #1.
It is, undoubtedly, a very prestigious and well-respected dental school.
Established in 1875, it was the second university-based dental school founded in the U.S.
It also offered the first dental graduate program in the U.S.
Of all American Dental Association presidents, four have been University of Michigan School of Dentistry faculty.
In the QS World University Rankings 2025, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry holds the #1 spot among all US dental schools.
It is also a top five NIH-funded research institution, with over 20 affiliated clinics serving more than 45,000 patient visits per year.
The school has an impressive 98% graduation rate.
The school also offers additional graduate programs, such as DDS/Ph.D. and DDS/MBA programs.
It is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
They had 2000 applicants and accepted 5.25% overall.
In-state students had a better chance of getting in, with 16.2% getting accepted.
Class sizes average 109 students each, with about 50% coming from in-state.
The cost of attendance for four years is $377,143 for in-state students and $448,084 for out-of-state students.
- The average GPA of accepted students is 3.6, and the average DAT score is 20.
- Dental School Website: dent.umich.edu
1. Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Harvard is widely considered to be the premier dental school in the U.S.
It is also world-renowned and considered one of the top institutions in the world.
This status affords the university the ability to offer its students the best leaders, staff, research, and training opportunities.
It also holds the distinction of being the first university-based dental school in the United States.
Find out more about the Harvard acceptance rate here.
Harvard ranks in the top 10 globally for dentistry in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
A unique feature of the Harvard DMD program is that students begin clinical dentistry from their very first year, starting with a primary care medical rotation alongside medical students.
This gives dental students a much deeper understanding of how oral health connects to overall body health, which is increasingly important in modern dentistry.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine offers many clubs, networking opportunities, and other extracurricular activities for its students.
It is located in Boston, Massachusetts, in the Longwood Medical Area.
Out of 1100 applicants, Harvard accepts 3.18% altogether.
In-state applicants have a higher chance of acceptance, at a rate of 7.8%.
The dental program at Harvard is really competitive and it offers students many clinical education opportunities (Harvard Dental Center).
The average class size is 35 students.
The four-year cost of attendance is $464,971.
- The average accepted Harvard dental students have a GPA of 3.85 and a DAT score of 22.
- Dental School Website: hsdm.harvard.edu
What Are the Dental Specialties You Can Pursue?
Not all dentists do the same job.
The American Dental Association officially recognizes nine dental specialties.
Each one requires additional training beyond your four-year dental degree.
Knowing which specialty interests you can also help you pick the right dental school, since some programs are much stronger in certain areas than others.
Here is a quick breakdown of all nine:
Endodontics focuses on the dental pulp and root canals.
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics covers straightening teeth and correcting facial structure.
Pediatric Dentistry specializes in treating infants, children, and teenagers.
Periodontics deals with the prevention and treatment of gum disease.
Prosthodontics focuses on restoring and replacing teeth.
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology involves diagnosing diseases of the mouth and jaw.
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology covers imaging and diagnosis of the jaw and facial area.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery handles surgical procedures on the teeth, jaw, and face.
Dental Public Health focuses on community-level prevention and oral health education.
If you already know your specialty, look for schools with strong programs in that exact area.
A school ranked highly overall may not be the best fit for your specific path.
For example, UCLA leads in prosthodontics and oral pathology, while Michigan leads in general research and community clinic training.
Choosing the right fit matters more than chasing the biggest name.
Tips for Getting Accepted In The Best Dental Schools
Of course, it is always important to maintain the best GPA that you can.
It is also critical to study for the DAT as much, and as effectively, as possible.
Dental schools are very competitive, each only accepting a small percentage of students who apply.
It is imperative that you work diligently to attain the highest GPA and DAT scores that you can.
Dental students who need help improving their GPA or DAT scores can seek out tutoring, study clubs, or professors’ office hours.
Additionally, a post-baccalaureate or master’s program may be helpful in making up for a less-than-ideal undergraduate GPA.
Dental school admission committees are also interested in how much you contribute to your community.
A track record of relevant volunteer work, employment, and/or club participation with positive references is critical.
Participating in relevant research laboratories as an undergraduate is an excellent opportunity for students, as well.
It allows students to work more closely with professors and gain extra knowledge in their field.
This provides unique opportunities to stand out in your application essays and interviews.
It also helps ensure a more personal and enthusiastic letter of recommendation because the professor has actually worked with you.
Additionally, admissions committees want to see how interested you are in their school in particular.
It is always important to research and visit any schools to which you are applying and tailor your application accordingly.
Be sure to avoid cliches in your essays, and do be sure to follow the prompt appropriately.
Finally, be sure to answer all application questions completely and submit all materials well in advance of all deadlines.
If you are interested in Medical Schools instead, check out our top 5 best medical school list.
Things to Consider When Applying
When choosing the schools to apply to, there are several considerations to take into account.
Of course, you want to make sure you get accepted somewhere, so be sure to apply to some safe schools.
These would be schools for which you comfortably meet, or preferably exceed, the standards of the average accepted student.
If you plan to go on to a specialty, you will want to take extra care in your dental school applications.
Take a look at the schools that offer the specialty in which you are interested.
Then, see which schools most of their applicants came from.
Be sure to apply to those schools as well, and be very earnest about putting your best foot forward.
Another thing to consider if you are going to pursue a residency program is how likely you are to do well at the school you attend.
For example, attending a very competitive school, although prestigious, may also make it more difficult to maintain a top GPA.
It may be worthwhile, instead, to consider going to a school where you can stand out as a top student.
Dental School Cost, Size, Location
Total cost is a significant factor, as well.
Prospective dentists will certainly want to compare tuition and cost of living expenses for possible schools in the US.
The total cost of dental school for four years is typically several hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Living costs also vary widely from state to state and school to school.
It is one of many factors prospective dentists will want to consider carefully.
Understanding how much the average college student spends each year can help you build a more realistic budget before you commit to any program.
Class size and location may be important to some dental students, as well.
Is it important to you to have small classes, or to live in a small town?
Or do you prefer a bustling city?
Research these aspects of the schools in the US, and be sure to visit them in person.
Students should consider their overall combination of factors, career goals, and advice from mentors to determine their ideal dental school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental School
What GPA do you need to get into dental school?
Most competitive applicants have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Many schools also evaluate your science GPA separately, and they expect that to be 3.5 or above as well.
A post-baccalaureate program can help strengthen a weaker undergraduate record.
What is a good DAT score?
The DAT is scored on a scale of 1 to 30, and the national average is 17.
A score of 19 to 20 puts you in the top 25% of all test takers.
A score of 22 or higher is considered excellent and is the typical average at the top schools on this list.
How long is dental school?
Most programs take four years to complete.
The first two years focus on classroom and lab study.
The final two years shift almost entirely to hands-on clinical training with real patients.
What major is best for getting into dental school?
Most applicants majored in biology or chemistry as undergraduates.
However, dental schools do not require a specific major.
What matters most is completing the required science prerequisites, regardless of your overall degree.
How do you apply to dental school?
Most US dental schools use the ADEA AADSAS centralized application system.
You will also need to take the DAT before applying.
Many schools then require additional materials and an in-person interview.
The process is long, so starting early is critical.
What does dental school cost on average?
At in-state public programs, the average total four-year cost is around $151,508.
At private schools, that number rises to an average of $268,348.
The schools on our top 5 list all exceed these averages, reflecting their elite resources and training quality.
Check out college dropout and completion rate data to understand the full commitment you are making before you enroll.