2026 Best Value Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools
[Orthodontics/Orthodontology](/majors/health-care-professions/advanced-dentistry-oral-sciences/orthodontics-orthodontology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong orthodontics/orthodontology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for orthodontics/orthodontology students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Orthodontics/Orthodontology School for You
The right orthodontics/orthodontology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in orthodontics/orthodontology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in orthodontics/orthodontology in the United States. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $20,115. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $247,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for orthodontics/orthodontology. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $16,481. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $234,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for orthodontics/orthodontology. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $19,137. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $242,474. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value orthodontics/orthodontology schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $21,577. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in orthodontics/orthodontology will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #5. 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. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #6 among the best values for orthodontics/orthodontology. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $199,973. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #7 position for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $23,258. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $159,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #8 spot for orthodontics/orthodontology value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $233,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #9 among the best values for orthodontics/orthodontology. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the orthodontics/orthodontology program here. Soon after graduation, orthodontics/orthodontology degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #10 spot for orthodontics/orthodontology value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $20,031. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $172,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Iowa came in at #11 for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $209,502 early in their careers. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value orthodontics/orthodontology schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $58,402. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific came in at #13 for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, orthodontics/orthodontology degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Boston University placed #14 among the best values for orthodontics/orthodontology. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the orthodontics/orthodontology program here. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Jacksonville University came in at #15 for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,150. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $231,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for orthodontics/orthodontology value this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $26,586. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $244,603. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Temple University landed the #17 spot for orthodontics/orthodontology value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $26,259. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $54,642. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Marquette University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value orthodontics/orthodontology schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, orthodontics/orthodontology degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $60,443. That is a strong return on a $24,122 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #19 for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $24,958. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $170,705 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Rochester came in at #20 for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $21,517. Soon after graduation, orthodontics/orthodontology degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #21 position for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the orthodontics/orthodontology program here. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $220,594 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Nova Southeastern University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value orthodontics/orthodontology schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Orthodontics/orthodontology graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, orthodontics/orthodontology degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $226,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Southern California came in at #23 for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the orthodontics/orthodontology program here. Soon after graduation, orthodontics/orthodontology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $165,907. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University came in at #24 for value in orthodontics/orthodontology this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Typical student debt for orthodontics/orthodontology graduates is $17,074. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $254,466. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Case Western Reserve University placed #25 among the best values for orthodontics/orthodontology. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the orthodontics/orthodontology program here. Early-career orthodontics/orthodontology graduates make about $74,459. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for orthodontics/orthodontology this year:
Narrow Orthodontics/Orthodontology Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Orthodontics/Orthodontology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
