There are six accredited dental schools in New York, including three in New York City and three elsewhere in the state. They differ in location, program length, competitiveness, GPA and DAT expectations, cost, and applicant eligibility. This guide compares these factors side by side and highlights the key differences between programs, including academic profile, tuition, admissions selectivity, and requirements for out-of-state, Canadian, and international applicants. For a broader overview of prerequisites and admissions standards, see our dental school requirements guide.
>>Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<
Dental Schools in New York: Complete List and Comparison
Dental schools in New York are located across New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and Buffalo. The list below includes all six accredited programs, followed by key admissions and program details for each school.
- Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
- New York University College of Dentistry
- State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
- State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine
- Touro College of Dental Medicine
- Yeshiva University College of Dental Medicine
1. Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Selectivity: 9%
Average GPA: 3.84
Average DAT Score: 26 (old scale; approx. 520 on the new scale)
First-Year Cost of Attendance: $154,708
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM) is a private four-year DDS program in New York City that integrates dental and medical education. Dental students complete parts of their biomedical training alongside medical students at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, giving them a broader foundation in human health and patient care.
CDM offers dual-degree programs, specialized pathways, outreach initiatives, and international learning opportunities. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution and complete the school’s prerequisite coursework, including biology, chemistry, physics, and biochemistry.
2. New York University College of Dentistry
Acceptance Rate: 12.2%
Average GPA: 3.61
Average DAT Score: 21 (old scale; approx. 440 on the new scale)
First-Year Cost of Attendance: $175,779
The NYU College of Dentistry offers a four-year DDS program in New York City and is one of the largest dental schools in the U.S. The school also has a long history in dental education and receives applications from the U.S. and abroad.
Its large class size and broad patient base create a different training environment from smaller dental programs in New York. Applicants may apply after completing at least 90 undergraduate credits, provided they have also completed the school’s required prerequisite coursework.
Students begin clinical and patient-care experiences within the first two years of the program. Patient-care responsibilities increase as they demonstrate competency in biomedical science, communication, and clinical practice, giving them substantial hands-on exposure throughout the DDS curriculum.
3. State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 5.25%
Average GPA: 3.75
Average DAT Score: 21.5 (old scale; approx. 440–460 on the new scale)
First-Year Cost of Attendance: $98,462 in-state / $131,572 out-of-state
State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine is a public four-year DDS program in Buffalo and one of New York’s two state-supported dental schools. It is also relevant to Canadian applicants because the school accepts the Canadian DAT.
Buffalo requires applicants to have at least 60 college credits before applying and 90 credits before enrollment. It strongly encourages completion of a bachelor’s degree before matriculation. Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA and science GPA of 3.0. The school no longer sets a minimum DAT score, although it gives preference to applicants who meet its published preferred score range.
The program combines classroom instruction with extensive clinical training through its on-campus clinics, affiliated health-care settings, and community-based programs. Students gain experience with a broad patient population throughout the DDS program.
Canadian applicants comparing programs beyond New York can also review our Canadian-friendly U.S. dental schools guide.
4. State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 4.31%
Average GPA: 3.82
Average DAT Score: 23 (old scale; approx. 470 on the new scale)
First-Year Cost of Attendance: $96,989 in-state / $128,699 out-of-state
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine is a public four-year DDS program on Long Island and one of New York’s two state-supported dental schools. Out-of-state applicants are admitted, but residency status may affect tuition and overall cost of attendance.
Its DDS curriculum combines biomedical sciences, clinical education, and patient care. Graduates have access to up to eight postgraduate residency programs, including Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Orthodontics, and Pediatric Dentistry.
Stony Brook’s Scholars for Dental Medicine (SFDM) Program is an integrated eight-year Bachelor’s/DDS pathway for selected undergraduate students. Students who satisfy the program requirements have a seat reserved at Stony Brook University’s School of Dental Medicine after finishing their undergraduate degree.
International applicants should review Stony Brook’s current credential-evaluation and English-language requirements before submitting their AADSAS application, as these policies differ from those at some other dental schools in New York.
5. Touro College of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 4.9%
Average GPA: 3.58
Average DAT Score: 440 (new scale; approx. 21 on the old scale)
First-Year Cost of Attendance: $161,416
Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) is a private four-year DDS program in Hawthorne, New York, in Westchester County. The school is part of the larger Touro University system. Its International Dentist Program serves qualified dentists who completed their dental education outside the U.S. or Canada.
TCDM’s main Westchester campus includes simulation and clinical training facilities that support early hands-on learning and direct patient care. The school has also expanded its clinical services through facilities such as Touro Dental Health Kids, which provides pediatric dental care and gives students additional exposure to community-based practice. Clinical training is available beyond Touro’s main Westchester campus, including in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Applicants who completed their education outside the U.S. or Canada should pay close attention to Touro’s academic and prerequisite requirements. Eligibility may depend on where previous coursework was completed and whether the applicant has satisfied the required prerequisites.
6. Yeshiva University College of Dental Medicine
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average GPA: 3.50
Average DAT Score: Not officially published
First-Year Cost of Attendance: $178,520
Yeshiva University College of Dental Medicine is a private three-year DDS program in New York City. It received CODA accreditation in February 2026. Its 36-month format makes it the shortest DDS program among the dental schools in New York. The condensed curriculum combines biomedical sciences, simulation, clinical training, and direct patient care.
Applicants must complete the school’s required prerequisite coursework and submit DAT scores as part of the admissions process. Because Yeshiva is a new program, long-term entering-class data such as average GPA, average DAT scores, and acceptance-rate trends may not yet be available.
What to Know Before Applying to Dental Schools in New York
Compare more than GPA, DAT scores, and cost before applying to dental schools in New York. Shadowing expectations, residency policies, applicant eligibility, and interview requirements vary by school and may affect which programs align with your eligibility, academic profile, and priorities.
Compare Average GPA and DAT Scores, Not Just Minimums
Some dental schools publish minimum GPA or DAT requirements, but meeting these minimums does not necessarily make your application competitive. A better approach is to compare your academic record with the average GPA and DAT scores of recent entering classes whenever those figures are available.
A minimum shows whether you meet a school’s baseline requirement; entering-class averages give a clearer sense of the academic profile of matriculating students. Academic averages should also be considered alongside a program’s overall competitiveness.
Our dental school acceptance rates guide provides broader context for comparing selectivity across dental schools, while our DAT scoring guide explains how DAT results are interpreted.
Check Each School’s Shadowing and Experience Expectations
Shadowing and dental experience expectations differ across New York dental schools. For example, Stony Brook publishes a minimum shadowing requirement, while Buffalo provides guidance on a recommended range of dental-observation hours without making that range a formal requirement.
Applicants should compare the current expectations for each school on their list rather than assuming that one program’s requirements apply to another. For broader guidance on building experience beyond school-specific requirements, see our guides to the best dental school extracurriculars and how to shadow a dentist.
Review Residency and Applicant Eligibility Policies
New York dental schools include both public and private programs, and residency may affect cost even when it does not determine whether you are eligible to apply. Buffalo and Stony Brook, for example, are state-supported programs, so out-of-state applicants should pay particular attention to resident and non-resident costs of attendance.
Canadian and international applicants should also review each school separately. Policies differ regarding Canadian coursework, the Canadian DAT, foreign transcripts, credential evaluation, and coursework completed outside the U.S. or Canada.
Prepare for Each School’s Interview Process
Interview formats and procedures vary by dental school, so applicants should review the current interview information published by each program before preparing. Schools may differ in how interviews are structured, when they are scheduled, and what applicants are expected to complete as part of the interview process.
For broader interview preparation, our dental school interview questions guide covers common questions and preparation strategies.
Conclusion: Choosing a Dental School in New York
Dental schools in New York range from large urban programs to smaller programs in less densely populated areas, with differences in class size, facilities, location, and training environment. Use the profiles above to narrow your list based on the factors that matter most to you, including academic fit, cost, location, and training environment.
FAQs
1. How many dental schools are in New York?
There are six accredited dental schools in New York: Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, NYU College of Dentistry, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Touro College of Dental Medicine, and Yeshiva University College of Dental Medicine.
2. Which dental schools are in New York City?
Three dental schools are located in New York City: Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, NYU College of Dentistry, and Yeshiva University College of Dental Medicine. The other New York programs are located in Buffalo, Long Island, and Westchester County.
3. Do New York dental schools accept out-of-state applicants?
Yes. Several dental schools in New York explicitly accept out-of-state applicants, and the public programs at Buffalo and Stony Brook publish separate resident and non-resident cost figures. Applicants should still check each school’s current residency and eligibility policies before applying.
4. How competitive are dental schools in New York?
Selectivity and entering-class academic profiles vary by school. Compare average GPA and DAT scores alongside class size and published selectivity or acceptance data. Our dental school acceptance rates guide provides broader context for evaluating competitiveness.
5. Which dental school in New York has a three-year DDS program?
Yeshiva University College of Dental Medicine offers a 36-month DDS program. The other five New York dental schools offer four-year DDS programs, making Yeshiva’s accelerated format one of the clearest program differences among the six schools.
6. How do I apply to dental schools in New York?
Most applicants apply through the ADEA AADSAS application service, although some schools require additional materials or school-specific steps. Depending on the program, you may also need a dental school supplemental application. Reviewing dental school personal statement examples can also help with the written portion of your application.
7. How much do dental schools in New York cost?
Costs vary significantly by school. Buffalo and Stony Brook publish separate resident and non-resident cost-of-attendance figures, while the private programs publish their own annual budgets and fees. Use the same basis, such as first-year cost of attendance, when comparing schools.
8. Should I go to a dental school in New York?
New York offers six dental schools with different costs, locations, program structures, class sizes, and clinical environments. The right choice depends on which programs best fit your academic profile, budget, preferred setting, and training priorities.
Like our blog? Write for us! >>
Have a question? Ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer!
Comments