by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery covers Oral/maxillofacial Surgery. A Program That Focuses On The Advanced Study Of The Diagnosis And Intrusive And Adjunctive Treatment Of Diseases, Injuries, And Defects Of The Oral And Maxillofacial Regions, Including Functional And Aesthetic Aspects. Includes Instruction In Pharmacology, Analgesia, Anesthesia, Anxiety Control, Surgical Procedures And Techniques, Surgical Instrumentation, Exodontia, Oral Diseases And Malfunctions, Soft And Hard Tissue Pathology, Dentoalveolar Surgery, Infection Management, And Prosthetic Implantation. Examples: [Oral/maxillofacial Surgery (Cert.)], [Oral/maxillofacial Surgery (Ms)], [Oral/maxillofacial Surgery (Phd)]. Continue reading for the important information every oral/maxillofacial surgery student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering oral/maxillofacial surgery programs.
In the U.S., oral/maxillofacial surgery is a popular field of study, with 41 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery Schools ranking analyzes these 13 schools to determine the best overall colleges for oral/maxillofacial surgery students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of oral/maxillofacial surgery programs later in this article.
Studies in Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations oral/maxillofacial surgery graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a oral/maxillofacial surgery program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a oral/maxillofacial surgery major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several oral/maxillofacial surgery degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 41 |
People currently working in careers related to oral/maxillofacial surgery tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-doctoral training | 50.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.9% |
| Master’s degree | 14.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.2% |
| First professional degree | 4.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in oral/maxillofacial surgery careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in oral/maxillofacial surgery opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to oral/maxillofacial surgery.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to oral/maxillofacial surgery.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | 1,956,280 | 13.9% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of oral/maxillofacial surgery graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $209,489 |
| 4 years | $191,956 |
| 5 years | $225,886 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for oral/maxillofacial surgery graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers oral/maxillofacial surgery grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $39,627 |
With 13 different oral/maxillofacial surgery programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased oral/maxillofacial surgery school rankings to help you.
Those considering oral/maxillofacial surgery, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
