The best dental schools in the U.S. vary in cost, selectivity, curriculum and clinical training, so the right choice depends on your academic profile, goals and budget. Admissions data such as GPA, DAT scores and acceptance rates provide useful comparison points, but cost and training environment matter as well. Location and residency preferences may shape which programs are the best fit. Review the published information for each school in this guide alongside general dental school requirements before building your school list.
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Best Dental Schools in the U.S.
The list below highlights 10 leading dental schools in the U.S. and compares their admissions data, cost, curriculum, clinical training and research opportunities. These differences give applicants a clearer basis for choosing programs that match their goals, location preferences and academic profile.
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine
- UCSF School of Dentistry
- Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
- University of Washington School of Dentistry
- UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
- UCLA School of Dentistry
- UConn School of Dental Medicine
Use the table below to compare each school’s location, GPA, old and new DAT scores, acceptance rate and cost of attendance before reviewing the individual programs in more detail.
*UConn publishes an average science GPA of 3.5–3.6 rather than an average overall GPA.
Note: GPA, DAT and applicant data are based on the latest available figures from official dental school sources and the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools.
1. Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 2.77%
Average GPA: 3.94
Average DAT Score: 24.9
New DAT Score: Approximately 510
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: $125,274
Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) combines dental training with broader medical education and is highly selective, with a calculated acceptance rate of 2.77% in the data used for this comparison. Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) students also gain access to coursework that strengthens their understanding of human health and patient care.
HSDM offers several academic pathways alongside its DMD program for students at different stages of training. Within the DMD program, students take classes at the medical school, gain hands-on patient experience in the first year and continue developing clinical skills through the Harvard Dental Center, including service to underserved communities.
The program is highly selective, but it does not use the same kind of published minimum GPA and DAT thresholds as some other programs. Our guide on dental school acceptance rates helps put Harvard’s level of selectivity in context.
2. UCSF School of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 4.08%
Average GPA: 3.78
Average DAT Score: 23.3
New DAT Score: Approximately 470
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: In-state: $110,983; Out-of-state: $123,228
UCSF School of Dentistry offers several routes through dental education, including the four-year DDS, DDS/PhD, dual DDS/MBA and an International Dentist Pathway for eligible internationally trained dentists. These pathways give students options to pursue clinical training, research and interdisciplinary study within UCSF.
Students who need additional preparation before dental school may also consider UCSF’s Interprofessional Health Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program. At the graduate level, UCSF offers several advanced study and specialty options, including a Joint UCSF-UC Berkeley Master of Public Health and Doctorate of Public Health.
UCSF charges different rates for California residents and out-of-state students. Canadian and international applicants should review the school’s current eligibility and testing rules before applying. If you’re comparing U.S. programs as a Canadian applicant, our guide on Canadian-friendly U.S. dental schools can help.
3. Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 4.43%
Average GPA: 3.84
Average DAT Score: 25.7
New DAT Score: Approximately 520
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: $150,520
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine integrates dental and medical education through the DDS curriculum. Due to its affiliation with the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, students complete medical coursework alongside their dental training, and the school offers interdisciplinary degree options, such as the DDS/MPH and DDS/MBA. Columbia provides postdoctoral and residency training supported by its network of dental clinics, research centers and healthcare facilities across New York City.
Applicants must complete the required coursework in biology, physics, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and English literature or composition along with a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution. Columbia’s current admissions requirements provide the clearest reference for eligibility and prerequisite details. For a broader comparison of programs across the state, see our guide to dental schools in New York.
4. University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 6.29%
Average GPA: 3.81
Average DAT Score: 22.4
New DAT Score: Approximately 460
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: In-state: $107,353; Out-of-state: $128,003
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry organizes its DDS curriculum around two pathways: Immersion and Selectives. In the Immersion pathway, students choose a research topic early in the program and complete a capstone project based on that work. Selectives focuses on elective coursework across different dental specialties and subspecialties. The two pathways support either a defined research focus or broader exposure across several areas of dentistry.
Michigan does not require a completed bachelor’s degree, but applicants must complete at least 90 semester hours of coursework and the required prerequisites. The school also requires 100 hours of dentist shadowing at the time of application and uses the MMI format as part of its admissions process. Common prompts and interview considerations are covered in our dental school interview questions guide.
5. University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 5.86%
Average GPA: 3.85
Average DAT Score: 23.7
New DAT Score: Approximately 490
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: $162,342
The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine (UPenn) supports research across several areas of oral and craniofacial health. Its research and clinical programs also include work focused on improving dental care for people with disabilities. It also has six specialty clinics, giving students exposure to areas such as oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and orthodontics.
Community-based service learning is a required part of Penn Dental Medicine’s DMD curriculum, with required community oral-health coursework and additional elective and honors opportunities. UPenn requires the prerequisite coursework and a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution, making Canadian graduates eligible to apply.
6. University of Washington School of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 6.38%
Average GPA: 3.68
Average DAT Score: 21.6
New DAT Score: Approximately 460
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: In-state: $108,427; Out-of-state: $131,043
The University of Washington School of Dentistry enrolls a larger proportion of students from Washington, reflecting the school’s regional mission and focus on serving communities across the state. It also accepts applicants from outside Washington, including eligible Canadian applicants.
The Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program is a regional DDS track focused on clinical training in rural and underserved communities. Students in the standard four-year DDS program also complete at least a five-week service-learning rotation in community dental clinics across Washington, where they work directly with patients under supervision. The Summer Health Professions Education Program provides pre-dental students with additional preparation before their future DDS application.
7. UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 8.75%
Average GPA: 3.69
Average DAT Score: 21.9
New DAT Score: Approximately 460
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: In-state: $95,811; Out-of-state: $107,691
The UT Health Science Center School of Dentistry includes several DDS program options, including the traditional four-year DDS, Dental Early Acceptance (3+4), DDS/PhD and International Dentist Education Program. The Early Acceptance program connects undergraduate study with later entry into the DDS, while the DDS/PhD combines dental education with research in craniofacial and oral biology.
Clinical training extends beyond the school’s primary clinics through the Dental Education Outreach Network. Students from DS1 through DS4 participate at external rotation sites across South Texas, including health centers, hospitals, schools and nonprofit clinics.
Texas residency is an important admissions consideration because the DDS program accepts both Texas and non-Texas applicants through TMDSAS. The school gives preference to Texas residents and states that only outstanding out-of-state applicants are considered for admission.
Examples of activities commonly included in dental school applications are outlined in our dental school extracurriculars guide. Students comparing other options in the state can also review our dental schools in Texas guide.
The International Dentist Education Program provides an advanced-standing route to the DDS degree for graduates of foreign dental schools. Students complete preparatory training before joining the traditional DDS class later in the program.
8. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 4.31%
Average GPA: 3.47
Average DAT Score: 19.4
New DAT Score: Approximately 410
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: $161,838
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine operates 16 dental clinics spanning multiple specialties and subspecialties, along with nine academic departments in areas ranging from orthodontics to pediatric dentistry. First-year training includes oral disease identification and diagnosis, community service and public health before students move into direct patient care in their second year.
Eligible Tufts undergraduates may apply through the Early Assurance Program before completing their bachelor’s degree. The school has no state residency requirement and accepts both the American and Canadian DAT. Canadian applicants are eligible to apply. Foreign-trained dentists may enter through the International DMD program, which leads to a U.S. dental degree.
9. UCLA School of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 5.06%
Average GPA: 3.87
Average DAT Score: 23.1
New DAT Score: Approximately 470
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: In-state: $124,342; Out-of-state: $136,587
UCLA School of Dentistry incorporates community-based clinical training into the DDS curriculum through its Community-Based Clinical Education (CBCE). Students complete required community-based clinical rotations during the fourth year, including training at sites serving underserved populations. UCLA reports 7,200+ patients and 13,700+ procedures through CBCE with 24 practice sites across seven states.
The school also offers the Basic Dental Principles program, an introductory dental education experience open to undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students interested in exploring the profession. Pre-dental students may also access a series of dental school lectures designed to introduce key topics in dental education. Other programs in the state are covered in our guide to dental schools in California.
10. UConn School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 3.21%
Average Science GPA: 3.5–3.6
Average DAT Score: 22.5
New DAT Score: Approximately 460–470
Estimated First-Year Cost of Attendance: In-state: $110,306; New England regional: $145,478; Out-of-state: $158,074
UConn School of Dental Medicine gives admissions preference to Connecticut and other New England residents and publishes separate resident, New England regional and non-resident cost categories. The program has a substantial presence in the state’s dental workforce, as approximately half of practicing dentists in Connecticut are UConn School of Dental Medicine alumni.
Students in the Urban Service Track rotate through clinical sites across Connecticut and receive interdisciplinary exposure to medicine, nursing and pharmacy. Urban Service Track students train in community-based settings throughout the state, adding a public-service dimension to their clinical education.
UConn offers summer research opportunities for dental students, including a Medical/Dental Student Summer Research Program in which students develop and conduct research projects under faculty guidance. For those interested in combining dentistry with another field, UConn offers DMD/MPH and DMD/PhD programs focused on public health and research.
How to Choose Among the Best Dental Schools in the U.S.
Choosing among the best dental schools in the U.S. comes down to how well each program matches your academic profile, budget, training preferences and long-term goals. The factors below provide a practical way to narrow your list without relying on rankings alone.
Academic Fit
Compare your GPA and DAT with each school’s published data to identify programs that align with your current academic profile. Use those figures as comparison points rather than guarantees of admission, since schools may weigh academic and non-academic factors differently. If you’re comparing older and current DAT figures, our DAT scoring guide explains how the scoring scale works.
Cost and Residency
Look at total cost of attendance, not tuition alone. Public schools may charge substantially different rates for in-state and out-of-state students, and some programs consider applicants from their own state or region. Residency can affect tuition and, at schools with geographic admissions preferences, the context in which an application is evaluated.
Curriculum and Clinical Training
Direct patient care, community-based rotations and specialty exposure vary significantly between dental schools. Review how each program structures these experiences and when students begin working with patients.
Research, Location and Career Goals
Research opportunities, dual-degree options and specialty exposure matter more if you already have a particular area of dentistry in mind. Location also deserves consideration, especially if you want to build professional connections or eventually practice in the same region where you train.
No single dental school will be the best fit for every applicant. Focus on the programs that match your academic profile, budget and preferred training environment.
FAQs
1. What is the best dental school in the U.S.?
There is no single best dental school for every applicant. Schools such as Harvard, UCSF, Columbia, Michigan and UPenn differ in cost, clinical training, research opportunities, location and admissions profile. The better choice is the program that matches your priorities and academic background.
2. How should I choose between the best dental schools?
Start by ruling out programs that do not fit your budget, residency situation or academic profile. From there, compare curriculum structure, clinical training, location and opportunities that match your interests.
3. What makes a dental school one of the best?
When comparing dental schools, consider curriculum structure, clinical experience, specialty exposure, research opportunities and community-based training. Curriculum design also matters, especially when students begin direct patient care and how much exposure they receive to different areas of practice.
4. What GPA and DAT scores do the best dental schools look for?
GPA and DAT expectations vary by dental school. Current class profiles and the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools provide useful benchmarks, but no single GPA or DAT score applies across all programs. Applicants should compare their academic profile with each school’s recent entering-class data and review any published minimums or prerequisite requirements before applying.
5. Are the best dental schools also the hardest to get into?
Not always. Selectivity depends on applicant volume, class size, residency preference and admissions criteria. Acceptance rate measures admissions selectivity; it does not measure curriculum difficulty.
6. How much do the best dental schools in the U.S. cost?
Cost varies widely between programs and by residency status. Public schools may charge different rates for in-state and out-of-state students, while private schools often use the same tuition structure regardless of residency. Total cost of attendance is a more comprehensive figure to compare because it includes tuition, fees and living expenses.
7. Do the best dental schools in the U.S. prefer in-state applicants?
Some public dental schools give preference to applicants from their own state or region, while private schools generally do not weigh residency the same way. Residency also affects tuition at many public programs, so review each school’s admissions policies and cost of attendance before applying.
8. How long does dental school take?
Traditional DDS and DMD programs generally take four years in the U.S. Some schools also offer accelerated, combined-degree or advanced-standing pathways that follow different timelines. For the full education and training timeline, see our guide on how long it takes to become a dentist.
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