by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 561 U.S. colleges awarded 16,103 degrees and certificates in Dental Assisting/Assistant. Certificates are the most popular award, at 65% of graduates. College Factual ranks 444 schools in its 2027 Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,290 one year after completing, rising to $38,528 after four years.
A major in Dental Assisting/Assistant covers Dental Assisting/assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Provide Patient Care, Take Dental Radiographs (X-Ray Photographs), Prepare Patients And Equipment For Dental Procedures, And Discharge Office Administrative Functions Under The Supervision Of Dentists And Dental Hygienists. Includes Instruction In Medical Record-Keeping, General Office Duties, Reception And Patient Intake, Scheduling, Equipment Maintenance And Sterilization, Basic Radiography, Pre- And Post-Operative Patient Care And Instruction, Chairside Assisting, Taking Tooth And Mouth Impressions, And Supervised Practice.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., dental assisting/assistant draws strong interest, with 16,103 degrees awarded annually. 561 colleges award dental assisting/assistant degrees, an average of 29 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 429.
By level, the 16,103 awards include 10,394 certificates, 1,473 associate degrees and 3,960 master’s degrees.
Women earned 91% of dental assisting/assistant degrees and certificates in the latest year (14,584 of 16,103). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (6,020) and White (4,052), and international students earned 51.
College Factual ranks 444 schools in its 2027 Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools ranking, including 127 for associate degrees. It also ranks dental assisting/assistant schools within 27 states. In all, 561 colleges offer dental assisting/assistant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common dental assisting/assistant credential is the certificate: 10,394 of the 16,103 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to dental assisting/assistant call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Medicine and Dentistry and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
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How long a dental assisting/assistant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10,394 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,473 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,960 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to dental assisting/assistant, at 24.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 24.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.8% |
| Some college courses | 5.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Dental Assisting/Assistant, with an average median salary of $36,054; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include University Faculty Member, Inhalation Therapy Aides Teacher, Medical Assisting Instructor and Immunology Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to dental assisting/assistant, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Dental Assistants | 561,559 | 5.0% |
Dental Assisting/Assistant graduates earn a median $28,290 one year after completing their program, $38,528 after four years and $33,997 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,290 |
| 4 years | $38,528 |
| 5 years | $33,997 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to dental assisting/assistant, with a median salary of $46,663.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Dental Assistants | $25,445 |
Dental Assisting/Assistant has 3 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 9,309 degrees a year; the largest are Dental Hygiene/Hygienist (8,920), Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician (254) and Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other (135). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 8,920 |
| Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician | 254 |
| Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other | 135 |
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