Best institutions to study 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.
28 U.S. institutions graduated 150 Periodontics/Periodontology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0510, a specialization of Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Periodontics/Periodontology programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Periodontics/Periodontology program is an advanced study focused on the etiology and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. This program is ideal for dental professionals seeking to specialize in periodontics, providing them with the necessary skills to diagnose and manage periodontal diseases effectively.
Students will gain knowledge in periodontium pathology, diagnostic procedures, surgical treatments, and patient care management. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, essential for success in this specialized field.
Credentials awarded
What Periodontics/Periodontology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Post-master's certificate102 graduates / yr · 22 institutions68%
- Master's degree45 graduates / yr · 12 institutions30%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
Periodontics/Periodontology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 111 |
| 2013 | 118 |
| 2014 | 100 |
| 2015 | 122 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 120 |
| 2018 | 110 |
| 2019 | 103 |
| 2020 | 121 |
| 2021 | 112 |
| 2022 | 139 |
| 2023 | 119 |
| 2024 | 126 |
| 2025 | 150 |
Top 28 institutions for Periodontics/Periodontology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 97% | $22,055 | $220,594 |
| 3 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 12 | 67% | $16,109 | — |
| 4 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 9 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 5 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 8 | 85% | — | — |
| 6 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 7 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 7 | 75% | — | — |
| 8 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 6 | — | — | — |
| 9 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicMaster's | 5 | 62% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 5 | 93% | — | — |
| 11 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 5 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 12 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 13 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 14 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 15 | Oregon Health & Science University Portland, ORPublicMaster'sMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's | 4 | 75% | — | — |
| 17 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 18 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicMaster's | 3 | 61% | — | — |
| 19 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 20 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 3 | 84% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 22 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's | 3 | 76% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicMaster's | 3 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 3 | 84% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster's | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 2 | — | — | — |
| 27 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 85% | — | — |
| 28 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 83% | $25,376 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences field (CIP 51.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 19 states
Where Periodontics/Periodontology graduates come from. Each state links to all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 2 | 29 | Boston University22 / yr |
| New York | 4 | 22 | Columbia University in the City of New York9 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 17 | University of Pennsylvania13 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 17 | University of Detroit Mercy12 / yr |
| Texas | 3 | 13 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston6 / yr |
| California | 2 | 8 | Loma Linda University4 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 8 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus8 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 5 | University of Illinois Chicago5 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 5 | Case Western Reserve University5 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 4 | Nova Southeastern University4 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 4 | Oregon Health & Science University4 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 3 | University of Louisville3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 3 | Saint Louis University3 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 3 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick3 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 3 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center3 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 2 | University of Iowa2 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 2 | University of Nebraska Medical Center2 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Marquette University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Periodontics/Periodontology program can pursue careers as Health Specialties Teachers or Dentists specializing in periodontics. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0510
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Dentists, All Other Specialists SOC 29-1029 | $224,990 | +0.3% Little or no change | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Periodontics/Periodontology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
Other Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences specializations
The 14 other 6-digit CIP codes under Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05).
- Dental Clinical SciencesCIP 51.0501419 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Orthodontics/CIP 51.0508
Orthodontology 332 graduates / yr40 institutions - Advanced General DentistryCIP 51.0502248 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial PathologyCIP 51.0503201 graduates / yr20 institutions
- Endodontics/CIP 51.0506
Endodontology 161 graduates / yr30 institutions - Pediatric Dentistry/CIP 51.0509
Pedodontics 156 graduates / yr22 institutions - Advanced/CIP 51.0599
Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences 138 graduates / yr11 institutions - Prosthodontics/CIP 51.0511
Prosthodontology 106 graduates / yr19 institutions - Dental Public Health and EducationCIP 51.050488 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Oral/CIP 51.0507
Maxillofacial Surgery 39 graduates / yr12 institutions - Dental MaterialsCIP 51.0505limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Implantology/CIP 51.0514
Implant Dentistry limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes 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.
See all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Post-master's certificate, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or Postbaccalaureate certificate.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 28 colleges offering the Periodontics/Periodontology program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and learning strategies.
What is the job outlook for periodontists?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3%.
What is the CIP code for Periodontics/Periodontology?+
Periodontics/Periodontology is CIP 51.0510 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Periodontics/Periodontology programs?+
28 U.S. institutions reported Periodontics/Periodontology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 19 states, awarding 150 credentials in the year. That is 7.4% of all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates.
How much do Periodontics/Periodontology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Periodontics/Periodontology most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences field report median earnings of $220,594 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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