Dentistry graduates pursue 2 occupations, with top roles paying $170,950/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
This page covers Dentistry as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Health and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Dentistry is a focused area of study within Health. You will not have trouble finding it: 67 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 6,961 students complete it each year, most walking away with a certificate. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Colleges Offering
67
Graduates / Year
6,961
Avg Net Price / yr
$24,417
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 6,961 students who complete Dentistry programs each year, the majority (99%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
99%
Certificate99%
What Can You Do With a Dentistry Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Dentistry graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Dentist pays the most at $170,950/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Doctoral or professional degree4,200 openings/yr124K employed nationally
Judgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for Dentistry
Not sure where to study Dentistry? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Dentistry graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Health Programs
Dentistry is not the only path through Health: 30 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Dentistry program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Dentistry shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +17.9% over the next decade, with Health Specialties Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 29,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Dentistry Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a Dentistry degree?
Dentist is one path, and it pays a median of $170,950 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Dentistry program take?
One to two years of full-time study for most Dentistry certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.
How many colleges offer Dentistry?
67 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
What is the difference between Dentistry and Health?
Dentistry is the narrower of the two: Health covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Dentistry-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Dentistry graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Dentistry graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Dentistry graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Dentistry graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +11.8% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Health Specialties Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +17.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Health Programs
Other programs in Health. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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