[Dentistry](/majors/health-care-professions/dentistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dentistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for dentistry students.
The dentistry program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Dentistry Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for dentistry in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $17,669. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $132,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value dentistry schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $137,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for dentistry. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $118,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in dentistry will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $131,656. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #5 place for dentistry. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $132,026. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value dentistry schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $78,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #7 position for value in dentistry this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $127,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best values for dentistry. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $132,027 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #9 position for value in dentistry this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the dentistry program here. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $113,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #10 for value in dentistry this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $138,806. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Augusta University landed the #11 spot for dentistry value this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $145,581. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #12 spot for dentistry value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the dentistry program here. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $140,452. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #13 spot for dentistry value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $132,219. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for dentistry. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $102,974 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #15 position for value in dentistry this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the dentistry program here. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $154,408. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
East Carolina University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value dentistry schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $125,260 early in their careers. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in dentistry this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $196,523. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Utah landed the #18 spot for dentistry value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $107,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
West Virginia University placed #19 among the best values for dentistry. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $111,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville came in at #20 for value in dentistry this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $21,910. Dentistry graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $131,017 early in their careers. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #21 spot for dentistry value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $26,162. Dentistry graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Stony Brook University earned the #22 position for value in dentistry this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the dentistry program here. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $74,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #23 spot for dentistry value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $123,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Harvard University landed the #24 spot for dentistry value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the dentistry program here. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $74,743. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo earned the #25 position for value in dentistry this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the dentistry program here. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $82,420. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Dentistry Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in dentistry:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Dentistry](/majors/health-care-professions/dentistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dentistry education at a price that pays off.
