Top 10 Best Dental Schools in the United States for 2027: Rankings, Acceptance Rates, Tuition, and Prestige
Top 10 Best Dental Schools in the United States for 2027: Rankings, Acceptance Rates, Tuition, and Prestige
Which dental schools are the most prestigious in America? From Harvard and the University of Michigan to Penn and UCLA, we examine the ten leading dental schools for students applying in 2027.
Choosing a dental school is among the most consequential financial and professional decisions a future dentist will make. Four years of dental education can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the institution a student attends can influence clinical training, research opportunities, specialization prospects, and professional connections.
However, the most prestigious dental school is not necessarily the best investment.
A student planning to become a general dentist may benefit more from attending an affordable public university than from accumulating substantial debt at an expensive private institution. Conversely, students interested in academic dentistry, oral surgery, or competitive specialty programs may place greater value on research opportunities and institutional reputation.
For 2027 applicants, the following ten institutions stand out.
What Are the Best Dental Schools in America for 2027?
The latest available QS World University Rankings by Subject, published March 25, 2026, place the University of Michigan first among American dental schools and fourth worldwide.
The rankings evaluate academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, research productivity, and international research networks.
Because the 2027 dentistry rankings have not yet been published, this article uses the 2026 QS results as the latest available benchmark for students considering dental school in 2027. Becker's Dental Review
Top 10 U.S. Dental Schools for 2027
U.S. RankDental School2026 Global RankLocationQS Score1University of Michigan School of Dentistry4Ann Arbor, MI90.32UCSF School of Dentistry6San Francisco, CA89.23Harvard School of Dental Medicine13Boston, MA84.54University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine17Philadelphia, PA82.15UNC Adams School of Dentistry18Chapel Hill, NC81.56University of Washington School of Dentistry21Seattle, WA80.87NYU College of Dentistry24New York, NY80.38UCLA School of Dentistry26Los Angeles, CA80.19University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine28Buffalo, NY79.310Tufts University School of Dental Medicine29Boston, MA79.0
Source: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. U.S. rankings are derived from the relative positions of American institutions in the global dentistry rankings. Becker's Dental Review
1. University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Best Overall Dental School in America
The University of Michigan has established itself as one of the world's leading institutions for dental education and research.
Ranked fourth globally in the 2026 QS dentistry rankings, Michigan holds the highest position among American dental schools.
Its reputation reflects decades of research productivity, comprehensive clinical education, and contributions to dental science.
Michigan offers students opportunities to engage with advanced dental technologies, interdisciplinary research, and a broad range of clinical specialties.
The university's standing as a major public research institution also creates opportunities for collaboration across medicine, engineering, and biomedical sciences.
For students seeking a combination of academic prestige, clinical preparation, and research opportunities, Michigan represents an outstanding choice.
However, tuition and total attendance costs vary substantially according to residency.
Michigan residents should carefully compare its financial advantages against those of private dental schools.
Verdict: The strongest overall American dental school according to the latest QS rankings.
2. University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry
Best for Biomedical Research and Academic Dentistry
The University of California, San Francisco is unusual among American universities because its academic mission centers on graduate health sciences and biomedical research.
Its dental school benefits from close relationships with medical researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals.
UCSF ranked sixth worldwide in the 2026 QS dentistry rankings.
Its strengths include oral biology, craniofacial research, clinical dentistry, and interdisciplinary healthcare.
Students interested in research careers or advanced clinical specialization may find UCSF particularly attractive.
The school's location in San Francisco also provides access to a major biotechnology and healthcare innovation ecosystem.
Nevertheless, living expenses in San Francisco can substantially increase the cost of attendance.
Verdict: An exceptional option for students interested in research-intensive dentistry and advanced clinical training.
3. Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Most Prestigious Dental School by University Brand
Harvard School of Dental Medicine benefits from one of the most recognizable university names in the world.
Located in Boston's Longwood Medical Area, the school emphasizes the relationship between oral health and general medicine.
Harvard's educational approach integrates biomedical science, clinical dentistry, and research.
The institution may be particularly appealing to students interested in academic dentistry, healthcare leadership, and competitive specialty training.
However, Harvard's prestige should not be confused with automatic superiority in every dimension of dental education.
Students intending to enter general practice should evaluate whether its tuition and living expenses justify the investment.
Harvard ranked 13th globally in dentistry in 2026, placing third among American institutions.
Verdict: An elite choice for students who value research, academic medicine, and institutional prestige.
4. University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Best Ivy League Dental School for Clinical and Research Opportunities
The University of Pennsylvania combines Ivy League prestige with a longstanding reputation for professional education.
Penn Dental Medicine offers extensive clinical training alongside research opportunities in oral health sciences.
Its Philadelphia location provides access to a major healthcare market and a broad patient population.
Penn's connections to the university's medical, engineering, and business programs may also appeal to students interested in healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship.
The school ranked 17th globally in the 2026 QS dentistry rankings.
Its principal disadvantage is cost.
As a private university, Penn can represent a substantial financial commitment, particularly for students financing most of their education through loans.
Verdict: An excellent institution for students seeking a prestigious private dental education.
5. University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry
Best Dental School for North Carolina Residents
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers one of the strongest combinations of academic reputation and public-university education.
UNC ranked 18th globally in the 2026 QS dentistry rankings.
The Adams School of Dentistry is recognized for its clinical education, research, and commitment to improving oral healthcare.
Students benefit from access to a major research university and opportunities to work with diverse patient populations.
For qualified North Carolina residents, UNC may offer a particularly attractive financial proposition compared with expensive private institutions.
However, admissions can be especially competitive for applicants from outside the state.
Verdict: One of America's strongest public dental schools, particularly attractive for eligible in-state students.
6. University of Washington School of Dentistry
Best Dental School in the Pacific Northwest
The University of Washington has a longstanding reputation for healthcare education and biomedical research.
Its School of Dentistry ranked 21st globally in 2026.
The university's location in Seattle provides access to a major metropolitan healthcare market, while its broader regional mission supports dental education and oral healthcare across the Pacific Northwest.
Students interested in public health, community dentistry, and interdisciplinary research may find Washington particularly appealing.
As with other public dental schools, residency policies and tuition differences deserve close examination.
Verdict: An outstanding regional institution with strong national and international academic recognition.
7. New York University College of Dentistry
Best for Large-Scale Clinical Exposure in New York City
NYU College of Dentistry offers an educational experience that differs from many smaller dental schools.
Located in Manhattan, NYU operates one of the largest dental education programs in the United States.
Its scale provides opportunities for exposure to diverse patients and a wide range of clinical conditions.
For students seeking to establish professional relationships in New York City, the school's location can be advantageous.
NYU ranked 24th globally in the 2026 QS dentistry rankings.
However, prospective students should carefully consider the financial implications.
Private-school tuition combined with New York City living expenses can produce a substantial total cost of attendance.
Students should also evaluate class size, faculty access, and the structure of clinical training.
Verdict: A strong choice for students prioritizing New York City and broad clinical exposure, provided the financial commitment is manageable.
8. UCLA School of Dentistry
Best for Dental Research and Technology in Southern California
The University of California, Los Angeles combines a prestigious research university with a highly regarded dental school.
UCLA ranked 26th globally in dentistry in 2026.
Its academic strengths include oral biology, dental research, and advanced clinical education.
The university's proximity to major medical centers and biotechnology companies provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
UCLA may be particularly appealing to students interested in combining clinical dentistry with scientific research.
However, Los Angeles housing costs can make attendance expensive even when tuition is comparatively favorable.
Verdict: An excellent option for students seeking research opportunities and clinical education in Southern California.
9. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Best Value Contender in New York State
The University at Buffalo offers a compelling alternative to New York's more expensive private dental schools.
As part of the State University of New York system, Buffalo combines a respected academic reputation with potential tuition advantages for qualifying residents.
The school ranked 28th globally in dentistry in 2026.
Buffalo provides clinical education, research opportunities, and access to a major public research university.
For New York residents comparing Buffalo with NYU or Columbia, total cost of attendance deserves particular attention.
Lower educational debt can provide significant flexibility after graduation, especially for dentists considering private practice ownership.
Verdict: One of the strongest dental school options for New York residents concerned about educational costs.
10. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Best for Private Dental Education in Boston
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine completes the American top ten, ranking 29th globally in 2026.
Located in Boston, Tufts offers access to a major academic and healthcare center.
The school emphasizes clinical education and provides opportunities for advanced training across dental specialties.
Its location also places students near major hospitals, research institutions, and professional networks.
However, like NYU and Penn, Tufts is a private institution where tuition and living expenses can create a significant financial burden.
Students should compare the program's clinical opportunities against the projected cost of borrowing.
Verdict: A well-regarded private dental school with strong clinical and professional opportunities.
Which Dental School Is the Hardest to Get Into?
Harvard, UCLA, UCSF, Michigan, and other highly regarded dental schools are generally considered competitive.
However, there is no universally reliable ranking of dental school admissions difficulty.
Acceptance rates can be misleading because schools differ in applicant volume, class size, residency preferences, and admissions requirements.
For example, a public dental school may admit a substantially greater proportion of in-state applicants than out-of-state applicants.
Applicants should therefore examine each school's entering-class statistics rather than relying exclusively on a single overall acceptance rate.
The American Dental Association reports that 12,491 individuals applied to U.S. dental schools for the fall 2024 entering class, with 6,719 enrolling as first-year students.
Those figures demonstrate the scale of national demand, although the enrollment-to-applicant ratio is not an acceptance rate. American Dental Association
What GPA and DAT Score Do You Need for a Top Dental School?
Competitive applicants generally demonstrate strong performance in biology, chemistry, physics, and other prerequisite sciences.
For the most selective dental schools, a GPA of approximately 3.7 or higher can strengthen an application, although successful applicants may have lower GPAs.
The Dental Admission Test remains an important component of admissions.
However, applicants should recognize that the DAT introduced a new scoring scale in 2025, replacing the previous 1–30 reporting scale with a 200–600 scale.
Consequently, older articles citing DAT averages of 20, 21, or 22 should not be interpreted as current-scale scores.
Applicants should consult each school's most recent entering-class profile and official DAT guidance before establishing admissions targets.
Clinical shadowing, community service, research, letters of recommendation, and interviews can also influence admissions decisions.
How Much Does Dental School Cost in 2027?
Dental education can be extraordinarily expensive.
Tuition alone may exceed $300,000 over four years at certain private institutions, before accounting for housing, transportation, instruments, insurance, and other expenses.
Public universities may offer substantial savings to eligible state residents.
However, advertised tuition does not necessarily reflect the full cost of attendance.
Students should compare four-year projected expenses rather than annual tuition alone.
The American Dental Association publishes school-level tuition and admissions information through its annual dental education surveys. American Dental Association
For many prospective dentists, minimizing debt may ultimately be more valuable than attending a school with a marginally higher ranking.
Does Dental School Prestige Matter?
Prestige matters, but perhaps less than students expect.
A graduate from an accredited dental school who satisfies licensing requirements can pursue a career in general dentistry regardless of whether the institution ranks among the nation's top ten.
For general practitioners, clinical competence, patient relationships, business management, and geographic location may ultimately matter more than institutional prestige.
However, students pursuing competitive specialty training, research careers, or academic appointments may benefit from attending institutions with extensive research resources and established professional networks.
Even then, individual academic performance and clinical experience remain important.
The most expensive dental school is not necessarily the best.
Is Harvard or Michigan Better for Dentistry?
Harvard has greater overall international name recognition, but Michigan ranks higher in the latest QS dentistry-specific rankings.
Michigan placed fourth worldwide in 2026, compared with Harvard's 13th position.
That distinction illustrates the importance of separating general university prestige from subject-specific academic reputation.
Michigan may offer an attractive combination of research, clinical education, and public-university tuition advantages.
Harvard offers an unusually prestigious institutional environment and extensive connections to academic medicine.
Neither school is automatically the better choice for every applicant.
The decision should depend on educational objectives, admissions outcomes, and projected debt.
What Is the Best Dental School for the Money?
For many students, an affordable accredited public dental school may offer the strongest return on investment.
Michigan, UNC, UCLA, Washington, and Buffalo deserve consideration from applicants who qualify for favorable residency tuition.
However, public universities do not necessarily offer lower tuition to nonresidents, and residency eligibility can be complicated.
Applicants should request a complete four-year cost estimate from every school under consideration.
Scholarships, living expenses, borrowing costs, and anticipated specialization plans should all influence the final decision.
Final Verdict: What Are the Best Dental Schools for 2027?
The University of Michigan enters the 2027 admissions planning cycle as the highest-ranked American dental school in the latest QS dentistry rankings.
UCSF, Harvard, Penn, and UNC complete the American top five.
Nevertheless, prospective dentists should resist the temptation to choose a school based exclusively on rankings.
Clinical education, faculty access, specialization opportunities, geographic preferences, and educational debt can have a greater impact on professional success.
For students interested in academic dentistry or competitive specialties, Harvard, Michigan, UCSF, and Penn offer compelling advantages.
For students seeking a financially sustainable path into general dentistry, a respected public institution may represent the better investment.
Rebellion Research's conclusion: Michigan is the leading U.S. dental school by the latest QS subject ranking, but the best dental school for an individual student is the one that provides excellent clinical preparation without imposing unnecessary financial risk.
Sources and Further Reading
American Dental Education Association: Accredited Dental Schools
Becker's Dental Review: Top-Ranked U.S. Dental Schools in 2026
Editorial note: This article is intended for students applying in 2027. The rankings reflect the latest published QS dentistry data as of October 2026, not a separately released 2027 ranking. Admissions requirements, tuition, and program costs should be verified directly with each institution.
