[Dentistry](/majors/health-care-professions/dentistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value dentistry schools.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Finding the Best Value Dentistry School for You
The right dentistry school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Dentistry Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Dentistry Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among dentistry schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $17,669. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $132,958. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for dentistry. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $132,026. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value dentistry schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $15,117. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $137,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dentistry schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $131,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for dentistry. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $138,806. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #6 position for value in dentistry this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $16,481. Dentistry graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $132,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah placed #7 among the best values for dentistry. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the dentistry program here. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $107,064. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot for dentistry value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $118,492. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #9 position for value in dentistry this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the dentistry program here. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $113,164. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
West Virginia University came in at #10 for value in dentistry this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the dentistry program here. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $111,820. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for dentistry. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $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. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #12 for value in dentistry this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the dentistry program here. Dentistry graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $78,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Augusta University earned the #13 position for value in dentistry this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $25,745. Dentistry graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $145,581 early in their careers. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #14 spot for dentistry value this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the dentistry program here. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $154,408. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #15 for value in dentistry this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $140,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #16 among the best values for dentistry. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $132,219. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #17 among the best values for dentistry. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the dentistry program here. Dentistry graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $125,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #18 among the best values for dentistry. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $16,616. Dentistry graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $74,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #19 among the best values for dentistry. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $123,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Louisville came in at #20 for value in dentistry this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. 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. Dentistry graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $131,017 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value dentistry schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $196,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #22 spot for dentistry value this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $26,162. 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.
Stony Brook University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value dentistry schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dentistry graduates is $20,537. Dentistry graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $74,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #24 among the best values for dentistry. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Dentistry graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $127,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #25 spot for dentistry value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $105,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Dentistry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for dentistry this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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).
[Dentistry](/majors/health-care-professions/dentistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
