by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dentistry](/majors/health-care-professions/dentistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value dentistry schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dentistry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among dentistry schools in Massachusetts. 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. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career dentistry graduates make about $74,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #2 makes Boston University one of the best values for dentistry. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Dentistry graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $111,866. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Students looking for strong value in dentistry will find it at Tufts University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the dentistry program here. Soon after graduation, dentistry degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $116,356. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.