by our College Data Analytics TeamA 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]. Read on to learn the key facts every orthodontics/orthodontology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering orthodontics/orthodontology programs.
Nationwide, orthodontics/orthodontology is a popular field of study, with 323 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools ranking analyzes these 38 schools to determine the best overall colleges for orthodontics/orthodontology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of orthodontics/orthodontology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Orthodontics/Orthodontology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations orthodontics/orthodontology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a orthodontics/orthodontology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a orthodontics/orthodontology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several orthodontics/orthodontology 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 | 323 |
People currently working in careers related to orthodontics/orthodontology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in orthodontics/orthodontology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in orthodontics/orthodontology opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to orthodontics/orthodontology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to orthodontics/orthodontology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | 2,252,613 | 5.8% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of orthodontics/orthodontology 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 orthodontics/orthodontology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers orthodontics/orthodontology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Orthodontists | $108,772 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 38 different orthodontics/orthodontology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased orthodontics/orthodontology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in orthodontics/orthodontology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
