by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 40 U.S. colleges awarded 340 degrees and certificates in Orthodontics/Orthodontology. College Factual ranks 12 schools in its 2027 Best Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $209,489 one year after completing, rising to $226,253 after four years.
A degree in Orthodontics/Orthodontology explores Orthodontics/orthodontology. A Program That Focuses On The Advanced Study Of The Guidance Of Growing Dental Structures And The Correction Of Misalignments, Disproportionate Growth, And Traumas Caused By Genetics, Disease, Injuries, And Dysfunctional Behaviors. Includes Instruction In Craniofacial Growth And Development, Malocclusion, Design And Fabrication Of Orthodontic Appliances, Craniofacial Alignment, Physiological Function And Analysis, Cephalometrics, Model Analysis, Space Analysis, Surgical Orthodontics, Cleft Lip And Palate, And Treatment Planning And Management. Examples: [Orthodontics/orthodontology (Cert.)], [Orthodontics/orthodontology (Ms)], [Orthodontics/orthodontology (Phd)], [Orthodontics And Dentofacial Orthopedics].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, orthodontics/orthodontology is a popular field of study, with 340 degrees awarded annually. 40 colleges award orthodontics/orthodontology degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 30.
All 340 of the awards are master’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 58% of orthodontics/orthodontology degrees and certificates in the latest year (197 of 340). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (158) and Asian (78), and international students earned 37.
College Factual ranks 12 schools in its 2027 Best Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools ranking, including 4 for master’s degrees. It also ranks orthodontics/orthodontology schools within 8 states. In all, 40 colleges offer orthodontics/orthodontology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Orthodontics/Orthodontology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
O*NET rates Speaking the most important skill for jobs related to orthodontics/orthodontology, at 4.0 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are Medicine and Dentistry, English Language and Customer and Personal Service. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an orthodontics/orthodontology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 340 |
Post-doctoral training is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to orthodontics/orthodontology, at 50.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-doctoral training | 50.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.7% |
| Master’s degree | 13.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.0% |
| First professional degree | 4.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Orthodontics/Orthodontology, with an average median salary of $77,718; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Pediatric Orthodontist, Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist, Doctor and Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator.
The occupation related to orthodontics/orthodontology with the most projected jobs is Orthodontists, at 2,252,613.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | 2,252,613 | 5.8% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Orthodontics/Orthodontology graduates earn a median $209,489 one year after completing their program, $226,253 after four years and $225,886 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $209,489 |
| 4 years | $226,253 |
| 5 years | $225,886 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to orthodontics/orthodontology, with a median salary of $108,772.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Orthodontists | $108,772 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Orthodontics/Orthodontology has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 1,709 degrees a year; the largest are Dental Clinical Sciences, General (420), Advanced General Dentistry (248) and Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (201). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
