Best colleges for Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 64 U.S. colleges offering Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 36 states.
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $220,594 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 51.05 and the Dentists, General occupation (BLS SOC).
About Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs
The Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences program is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their knowledge and expertise in the field of dentistry. This program encompasses various specializations, including Dental Clinical Sciences, Oral Biology, and Orthodontics, making it suitable for those aiming to advance their careers in dental medicine and oral health management. Students in this program will engage in comprehensive studies focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases and conditions. It is ideal for dental professionals looking to enhance their skills and contribute significantly to patient care and public health in dentistry.
Learn more about Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences →
Core coursework in this program covers critical skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Students will gain knowledge in medicine and dentistry, biology, and psychology, preparing them for the complexities of dental practice and enhancing their ability to formulate effective treatment plans.
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $220,594 | 68 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Graduate degree | $170,705 | 32 | 85% | — | — |
Specializations within Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
13 of the 15 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 51.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Dental Clinical SciencesCIP 51.0501419 graduates / yr25 institutions20 states
- Orthodontics/CIP 51.0508
Orthodontology 332 graduates / yr40 institutions22 states - Advanced General DentistryCIP 51.0502248 graduates / yr19 institutions15 states
- Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial PathologyCIP 51.0503201 graduates / yr20 institutions14 states
- Endodontics/CIP 51.0506
Endodontology 161 graduates / yr30 institutions18 states - Pediatric Dentistry/CIP 51.0509
Pedodontics 156 graduates / yr22 institutions18 states - Periodontics/CIP 51.0510
Periodontology 150 graduates / yr28 institutions19 states - Advanced/CIP 51.0599
Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences 138 graduates / yr11 institutions10 states - Prosthodontics/CIP 51.0511
Prosthodontology 106 graduates / yr19 institutions13 states - Dental Public Health and EducationCIP 51.050488 graduates / yr13 institutions10 states
- Oral/CIP 51.0507
Maxillofacial Surgery 39 graduates / yr12 institutions8 states - Dental MaterialsCIP 51.0505limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Implantology/CIP 51.0514
Implant Dentistry New in CIP 2020limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 15 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Digital Dentistry51.0512
- Geriatric Dentistry51.0513
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 36 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $220,594 | University of Pennsylvania |
| Alabamalimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 5 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Florida | 4 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 2 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 2 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesota | 3 | — | — |
| Missouri | 3 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Nevadalimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 5 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texas | 3 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Alaskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1021, Dentists, General, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences program can pursue various careers in dentistry, including roles in specialized fields like Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery and Endodontics. The job outlook for dental professionals is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 3,900 annual openings. The median wage for dentists is $172,790, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 51.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 51.05 (Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 21-1091 | Health Education Specialists |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-1021 | Dentists, Generalprimary |
| 29-1022 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons |
| 29-1023 | Orthodontists |
| 29-1024 | Prosthodontists |
| 29-1029 | Dentists, All Other Specialists |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences program?+
The program focuses on advanced studies in dentistry, including diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases.
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Advanced General Dentistry, Oral Biology, Dental Public Health, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, along with knowledge in medicine and dentistry.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1% and a median wage of $172,790.
How much do Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates earn?+
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $220,594, College Scorecard (2019); the Dentists, General occupation pays about $191,350 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences?+
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences maps to CIP 51.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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