How Expensive is Dental School? Breaking Down the Costs

BIG Ideas:

• Dental school typically takes about eight years and can cost up to $400,000 with tuition, fees, and living expenses.
• Since federal loans offer many benefits, it’s a good idea to maximize federal aid before applying for private loans.
• Despite the high cost of dental school, it can be a rewarding and lucrative career that can help you build a strong financial future while helping others. 

Maybe you were the kid who loved going to the dentist. Or saw yourself in Hermey the Elf in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Or maybe you simply want to pursue a career that’s purposeful, stable, and lucrative.

Whatever your motivation, you’re considering sinking your teeth into the exciting field of dentistry.

It’s easy to see the appeal. You’ll have the opportunity to help ease people’s pain, give them a reason to smile, and build a bright career that offers long-term financial security. But to get that education, you’ll need to make a significant investment of two very big things: your time and your money.

So, if you’re wondering exactly how much is dental school— and what it involves — read on for answers.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Dentist?

After completing a bachelor’s degree, dental school typically requires four additional years. Most students earn a science-based undergraduate degree before applying to dental school.

So, in general, it takes about eight years to become a dentist (four years for your undergraduate degree and four years for dental school). Keep in mind that some schools offer accelerated programs that can shorten the timeline, while combined degree programs may extend it but provide additional skills and credentials. 

How Much Does Dental School Cost?

The cost of dental school is expensive and on the rise. According to the American Dental Association’s Resource Report, the average dental school tuition costs for all four years of dental school can range from $170,000 (for public in-state schools) to over $390,000 (for private institutions).

The answer to the question How much is dentist school? is not just about tuition. There are also additional costs and fees associated with dental school, including:

• Textbooks
• Instruments and lab costs
• Living expenses
• Transportation fees
• Health insurance fees
• Board exams and licensing fees

With such a high price tag, most dental students need a way to pay for it all. That often comes in the form of student loans. According to the Education Data Institute, the average dental student owes nearly $300,000 in loans.¹

How Can You Pay For The High Cost of Dental School?

Well, the good news is that help is out there. You may qualify for financial aid, which can lower the cost of dental school. To do that, you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid can include federal loans, grants and scholarships, and work study. There may be additional financial aid opportunities available, such as fellowships.

If you do complete the FAFSA, make sure you’re aware of the deadlines for submission, which may vary by state and school. It’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA early, since most financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

An added benefit of applying early is that you’ll know sooner what help you might receive, giving you more time to plan your finances by applying for other scholarships or seeking out other loans.

After financial aid and any savings you have, you may need to fill the gap for the cost of attendance. That’s where private loans from private lenders can help.

Private loans are offered by private institutions like banks and credit unions or non-profits like us. You can borrow up to 100% of the cost of attendance. Keep in mind that private student loans vary significantly by lender, so make sure you shop around with a reputable lender (we just so happen to know a good one).

What’s the Difference Between Federal and Private Student Loans?

Before you apply for a private loan, it’s important to understand some key differences between them and federal loans. One of the biggest differences is that private loans do not offer some important benefits that federal loans do, including loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment. Here are some other differences:

Interest rates: Federal loans always offer fixed rates, while private loans may be fixed or variable. With fixed-rate loans, your payments won’t change, while with variable ones, they may fluctuate based on market conditions.

Other protections: Federal loans also offer protections for hardships like financial struggles, job loss, or furthering your education.

Qualification: Unlike federal loans, private loans are based on your creditworthiness. So, if you want to apply for a private loan, you need good credit or a co-signer with good credit.

Because of these protections, it’s wise to maximize all federal aid and opportunities BEFORE you apply for a private student loan.

How to Determine If The Cost of Dental School is Worth It for You

Now that you know the truth about dental costs and the commitment, it’s time to think about whether the cost of dental school makes sense for you. Here are some guidelines that can help you decide:

• You want high earning potential and a steady career. Dentistry is known for its high salaries, which can climb even higher for specialized practitioners like endodontists or orthodontists.
   
  According to the ADA Health Policy Institute, the average annual salary for general dentists was $207,980.

• If you own your own practice, your income can also be significantly higher.

• You already have an undergrad science degree. If not, you’ll need to take additional courses before you can start dental school.

• You’re comfortable taking on debt. You’re likely going to need to borrow a lot of money to pay for dental school. You have to be comfortable doing that, and by comfortable, we mean you’re ready and willing to tackle that debt.

• You realize your other plans may be put on hold. Taking on that debt comes at another cost; you could have high monthly payments for a long period of time that could impact other goals you may have, such as buying a home or getting married.

• You’re going to dental school because you’re passionate about dentistry and helping people. If, however, you’re choosing dentistry only because of the compensation and respect it earns, dental school may be more of a time and financial commitment than you’re ready for.

In short, dental school is a huge expense in time and money. But with knowledge, proper planning, and passion, it can be one of the best investments you make in your future.

Brazos Can Help Make Your Dental School Dreams Come True

For more than 40 years, Brazos has helped make college costs more affordable for students looking to build brighter futures. As a Texas non-profit lender, we offer competitive rates on private student loans that can help you manage the costs of dental school. Contact us to learn more.

¹Hanson, Melanie. “Average Dental School Debt” EducationData.org, 2024-08-31,
https://educationdata.org/average-dental-school-debt