2027 Best Value Dentistry Schools in the Southeast Region

[Dentistry](/majors/health-care-professions/dentistry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dentistry education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value dentistry schools.
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2027 Best Value Dentistry Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dentistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dentistry Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for dentistry in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $132,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in dentistry will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $137,708. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value dentistry schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Augusta University one of the best values for dentistry. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $25,745. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $145,581. That is a strong return on a $25,745 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #5 place for dentistry. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the dentistry program here. Dentistry graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $111,820 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #6 for value in dentistry this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $125,260. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Louisville placed #7 among the best values for dentistry. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the dentistry program here. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $131,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #8 spot for dentistry value this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the dentistry program here. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #9 among the best values for dentistry. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $24,094. Dentistry graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $123,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value dentistry schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $23,813. Dentistry graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $105,967 early in their careers. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #11 spot for dentistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the dentistry program here. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $110,451. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.