Best degree programs for Dentists, General, ranked by enrollment
3 college programs and 70 schools train Dentists, General. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $170,950 median wage, 124,390 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
3 college programs at 70 schools train dentists, general, graduating 7,466 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Dentistry. The job pays a median of $170,950 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About dentists, general
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
3 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dentistrymain feeder CIP 51.0401 | 7,062 | 94.6% | 67 | — | — |
| 2 | Advanced General Dentistrymain feeder CIP 51.0502 | 248 | 3.3% | 19 | $195,650 | — |
| 3 | Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodonticsmain feeder CIP 51.0509 | 156 | 2.1% | 22 | $195,650 | — |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 391 | Dentistry | 88% | $29,023 | 9% |
| 2 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 261 | Dentistry | 94% | $23,570 | 11% |
| 3 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 223 | Dentistry | 89% | $21,956 | 11% |
| 4 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 209 | Dentistry | 97% | $22,055 | 5% |
| 5 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 189 | Dentistry | 92% | $26,873 | 10% |
| 6 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 172 | Dentistry | 69% | $23,964 | 71% |
| 7 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 171 | Dentistry | 63% | $31,672 | 73% |
| 8 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 168 | Dentistry | 67% | $16,109 | 75% |
| 9 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · 2 feeder programs | 162 | Dentistry | 75% | — | 80% |
| 10 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MD Public · 2 feeder programs | 150 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 11 | A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 144 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 12 | Midwestern University - Glendale Glendale, AZ Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 142 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 13 | Midwestern University - Downers Grove Downers Grove, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 139 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 14 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · 2 feeder programs | 137 | Dentistry | 84% | — | 58% |
| 15 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · 2 feeder programs | 134 | Dentistry | 93% | — | 16% |
| 16 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 132 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 17 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · 3 feeder programs | 131 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 18 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · 3 feeder programs | 124 | Dentistry | 85% | — | 80% |
| 19 | University of Louisville Louisville, KY Public · 2 feeder programs | 123 | Dentistry | 61% | — | 79% |
| 20 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 121 | Dentistry | 88% | — | 61% |
| 21 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · 1 feeder programs | 121 | Dentistry | 75% | — | 74% |
| 22 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 120 | Dentistry | 96% | $15,315 | 4% |
| 23 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 3 feeder programs | 119 | Dentistry | 84% | — | 57% |
| 24 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 119 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 25 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 116 | Dentistry | 62% | — | 77% |
| 26 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO Public · 1 feeder programs | 115 | Dentistry | 46% | — | 75% |
| 27 | Touro University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 114 | Dentistry | 72% | $27,110 | 61% |
| 28 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · 1 feeder programs | 112 | Dentistry | 54% | — | 76% |
| 29 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 111 | Dentistry | 91% | — | 24% |
| 30 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TN Public · 1 feeder programs | 110 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 31 | Creighton University Omaha, NE Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 109 | Dentistry | 83% | $27,353 | 80% |
| 32 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 109 | Dentistry | 93% | — | 9% |
| 33 | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Erie, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 106 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 34 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL Public · 1 feeder programs | 105 | Dentistry | 64% | — | 88% |
| 35 | University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO Public · 1 feeder programs | 104 | Dentistry | 55% | — | 72% |
| 36 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 103 | Dentistry | 63% | — | 93% |
| 37 | Roseman University of Health Sciences Henderson, NV Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 99 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 38 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 97 | Dentistry | 83% | $25,376 | 81% |
| 39 | Augusta University Augusta, GA Public · 1 feeder programs | 89 | Dentistry | 49% | — | 86% |
| 40 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC Public · 2 feeder programs | 89 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 41 | University of California - San Francisco San Francisco, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 89 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 42 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 87 | Dentistry | 87% | $27,976 | 37% |
| 43 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV Public · 2 feeder programs | 87 | Dentistry | 51% | — | 96% |
| 44 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · 2 feeder programs | 86 | Dentistry | 75% | — | 84% |
| 45 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 86 | Dentistry | 85% | — | 58% |
| 46 | Howard University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 84 | Dentistry | 70% | $48,194 | 41% |
| 47 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · 2 feeder programs | 84 | Dentistry | 65% | — | 86% |
| 48 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 82 | Dentistry | 91% | — | 15% |
| 49 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PR Public · 3 feeder programs | 79 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
| 50 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LA Public · 1 feeder programs | 78 | Dentistry | — | — | — |
What dentists, general earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $183,060 | 7,340 | 0.95× | 6 | 843 |
| California | $165,950 | 16,770 | 1.15× | 7 | 799 |
| Pennsylvaniamoderate | $163,390 | 4,460 | 0.92× | 4 | 563 |
| Massachusettsmoderate | $181,600 | 2,780 | 0.96× | 3 | 527 |
| Texasmoderate | $162,360 | 8,920 | 0.79× | 4 | 409 |
| Illinoismoderate | $156,110 | 6,940 | 1.42× | 3 | 312 |
| Michiganlimited | $169,930 | 3,620 | 1.03× | 2 | 302 |
| Floridamoderate | $174,900 | 9,320 | 1.17× | 3 | 292 |
| Missourimoderate | $204,960 | 2,440 | 1.04× | 3 | 271 |
| Ohiolimited | $167,410 | 2,790 | 0.63× | 2 | 208 |
| Kentuckylimited | $134,160 | 790 | 0.49× | 2 | 188 |
| Nevadalimited | $162,200 | 1,100 | 0.88× | 2 | 186 |
| Nebraskalimited | $179,750 | 790 | 0.97× | 2 | 171 |
| Tennesseelimited | $215,290 | 2,200 | 0.84× | 2 | 171 |
| Marylandlimited | $168,500 | 2,100 | 0.95× | 1 | 150 |
| Arizonalimited | $194,180 | 3,470 | 1.34× | 1 | 142 |
| New Jerseylimited | $171,330 | 2,980 | 0.87× | 1 | 137 |
| North Carolinalimited | $207,000 | 4,140 | 1.05× | 2 | 133 |
| Minnesotalimited | $219,200 | 2,370 | 1.01× | 1 | 124 |
| Coloradolimited | $166,240 | 2,940 | 1.28× | 1 | 115 |
| Indianalimited | $166,650 | 2,300 | 0.90× | 1 | 112 |
| Virginialimited | $197,110 | 4,140 | 1.26× | 1 | 103 |
| Wisconsinlimited | $193,690 | 2,560 | 1.09× | 1 | 97 |
| Georgialimited | $206,760 | 2,620 | 0.67× | 1 | 89 |
| South Carolinalimited | $158,640 | 2,140 | 1.16× | 1 | 89 |
| Iowalimited | $181,520 | 1,240 | 0.99× | 1 | 86 |
| District of Columbialimited | — | 340 | 0.61× | 1 | 84 |
| Utahlimited | $133,320 | 1,020 | 0.73× | 1 | 84 |
| Louisianalimited | $170,750 | 1,500 | 0.97× | 1 | 78 |
| Washingtonlimited | $169,730 | 3,240 | 1.14× | 1 | 74 |
| Oregonlimited | $211,690 | 1,660 | 1.05× | 1 | 71 |
| Oklahomalimited | $166,170 | 980 | 0.72× | 1 | 66 |
| Mainelimited | $209,200 | 310 | 0.60× | 1 | 64 |
| Connecticutlimited | $160,440 | 1,950 | 1.44× | 1 | 52 |
| West Virginialimited | $170,370 | 420 | 0.75× | 1 | 50 |
| Mississippilimited | $143,660 | 740 | 0.80× | 1 | 40 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
- Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
- Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
- Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
- Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
- Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
Skills
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Monitoring4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Science3.8
- Writing3.3
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry5.0
- Customer and Personal Service4.2
- English Language3.9
- Biology3.5
- Psychology3.4
- Education and Training3.3
Abilities
- Finger Dexterity4.3
- Problem Sensitivity4.3
- Inductive Reasoning4.1
- Deductive Reasoning4.1
- Arm-Hand Steadiness4.1
- Near Vision4.1
Core activities
- Getting Information4.7
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public4.7
- Assisting and Caring for Others4.7
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.6
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.6
- Documenting/Recording Information4.4
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Dentist, General
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 5 majors mapped to Dentists, General3 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 51.0401Dentistry
- 51.0502Advanced General Dentistry
- 51.0509Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics
- 60.0102Dental Public Health Residency Program(no graduates reported)
- 60.0106Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program(no graduates reported)
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Dentist, General?+
Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Dentistry, which awarded 7,062 degrees in 2024-25, 94.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Dentist, General?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 3 programs to this occupation. The largest are Dentistry, Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. Together they graduate about 7,466 people a year.
How much do dentists, general earn?+
The median is $170,950 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $86,250 at the 10th percentile to $319,630 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for dentists, general growing?+
BLS projects a +4.1% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 3,900 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
70 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 3 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do dentists, general work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Pediatric Dentist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 29-1021.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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