by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Periodontics/Periodontology covers Periodontics/periodontology. A Program That Focuses On The Advanced Study Of The Etiology And Treatment Of Diseases Of The Gingivae (Gum Tissue) And Supporting Bone, Nerve, And Vascular Structures. Includes Instruction In Periodontium Pathology, Diagnostic Procedures And Equipment, Occulsion, Nutritional Aspects Of Periodontology, Surgical Treatments, And Patient Care And Management. Examples: [Periodontics/periodontology (Cert.)], [Periodontics/periodontology (Ms)], [Periodontics/periodontology (Phd)]. Continue reading for the key facts every periodontics/periodontology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering periodontics/periodontology programs.
Nationwide, periodontics/periodontology is a popular field of study, with 126 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Periodontics/Periodontology Schools ranking analyzes these 28 schools to determine the best overall colleges for periodontics/periodontology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of periodontics/periodontology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Periodontics/Periodontology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations periodontics/periodontology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a periodontics/periodontology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a periodontics/periodontology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several periodontics/periodontology 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 | 126 |
People currently working in careers related to periodontics/periodontology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 35.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in periodontics/periodontology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying periodontics/periodontology opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to periodontics/periodontology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to periodontics/periodontology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 222,405 | 12.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of periodontics/periodontology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 periodontics/periodontology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers periodontics/periodontology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | $100,743 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 28 different periodontics/periodontology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased periodontics/periodontology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in periodontics/periodontology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
