Top 25 Best Dental Schools in America for 2027: Rankings, Prestige, Acceptance Rates, Tuition, and Career Opportunities
Top 25 Best Dental Schools in America for 2027: Rankings, Prestige, Acceptance Rates, Tuition, and Career Opportunities
Which dental schools are the best in the United States? Our 2027 guide examines the country's 25 leading dental schools, including Harvard, Michigan, Columbia, Penn, UCLA, NYU, and other highly regarded institutions.
Choosing the right dental school can shape a dentist's professional opportunities, financial future, and ability to pursue specialized training. With the total cost of dental education frequently reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars, applicants must consider much more than academic reputation.
For students applying in 2027, the University of Michigan, University of California San Francisco, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stand among America's leading institutions for dental education.
However, the best dental school is not necessarily the most prestigious.
Students interested in orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, academic dentistry, or biomedical research may prioritize different institutions than those planning to enter general dentistry or establish private practices.
What Are the Top 25 Dental Schools in the United States for 2027?
The following ranking combines the latest available 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject with an editorial assessment of institutional reputation, research opportunities, clinical education, and professional training.
The first 12 positions follow the order of U.S. institutions appearing in the 2026 QS global top 50. Positions 13–25 are editorial selections rather than exact QS placements, because QS places many additional institutions into broad ranking bands.
The 2027 QS dentistry rankings have not yet been published as of October 2026. Becker's Dental Review
Top 25 Dental Schools for 2027
U.S. RankDental SchoolLocation2026 QS Global RankInstitutional Type1University of Michigan School of DentistryAnn Arbor, MI4Public2UCSF School of DentistrySan Francisco, CA6Public3Harvard School of Dental MedicineBoston, MA13Private4University of Pennsylvania School of Dental MedicinePhiladelphia, PA17Private5UNC Adams School of DentistryChapel Hill, NC18Public6University of Washington School of DentistrySeattle, WA21Public7NYU College of DentistryNew York, NY24Private8UCLA School of DentistryLos Angeles, CA26 (tied)Public9University at Buffalo School of Dental MedicineBuffalo, NY28Public10Tufts University School of Dental MedicineBoston, MA29Private11Columbia University College of Dental MedicineNew York, NY38Private12Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental MedicineBoston, MA47Private13University of Iowa College of DentistryIowa City, IAOutside global top 50Public14Ohio State University College of DentistryColumbus, OHOutside global top 50Public15University of Pittsburgh School of Dental MedicinePittsburgh, PAOutside global top 50Public16University of Florida College of DentistryGainesville, FLOutside global top 50Public17University of Maryland School of DentistryBaltimore, MDOutside global top 50Public18University of Connecticut School of Dental MedicineFarmington, CTOutside global top 50Public19University of Minnesota School of DentistryMinneapolis, MNOutside global top 50Public20University of Illinois Chicago College of DentistryChicago, ILOutside global top 50Public21USC Herman Ostrow School of DentistryLos Angeles, CAOutside global top 50Private22Texas A&M University College of DentistryDallas, TXOutside global top 50Public23Stony Brook University School of Dental MedicineStony Brook, NYOutside global top 50Public24Case Western Reserve University School of Dental MedicineCleveland, OHOutside global top 50Private25UT Health San Antonio School of DentistrySan Antonio, TXOutside global top 50Public
Methodology: Positions 1–12 reflect the 2026 QS Dentistry ranking among U.S. institutions. Positions 13–25 are Rebellion Research editorial assessments, not official QS numerical rankings. Global positions are omitted where a directly comparable exact rank is unavailable. Becker's Dental Review
1. University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Best Overall Dental School in America
The University of Michigan holds the highest position among American dental schools in the 2026 QS rankings, placing fourth worldwide.
Michigan combines extensive research activity with comprehensive clinical training and access to one of America's leading public research universities.
Its strengths include restorative dentistry, oral health research, biomedical sciences, and advanced dental specialties.
For Michigan residents, the potential financial advantages of attending a public university make the institution particularly attractive.
Michigan's reputation also extends well beyond the Midwest, making it a compelling choice for students interested in academic dentistry or advanced specialty training.
2. UCSF School of Dentistry
Best for Dental Research and Biomedical Sciences
The University of California, San Francisco ranks sixth worldwide.
UCSF benefits from its concentration on medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and biomedical research.
Students interested in the intersection of oral health and general medicine may find its interdisciplinary environment particularly valuable.
However, San Francisco's high cost of living can substantially increase educational expenses.
3. Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Most Prestigious Dental School by University Reputation
Harvard possesses arguably the strongest overall university brand among American dental schools.
Its dental program emphasizes biomedical sciences, academic research, and the integration of dentistry with medicine.
Harvard may be particularly attractive to students considering careers in research, academic medicine, or advanced dental specialties.
Its principal disadvantage is cost, especially for students who must finance most of their education.
4. University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Best Ivy League Alternative to Harvard
Penn Dental Medicine combines Ivy League recognition with extensive clinical and research opportunities.
Located in Philadelphia, the school benefits from connections to Penn's broader medical and scientific community.
Students interested in dentistry, healthcare innovation, and academic leadership may find Penn especially attractive.
However, prospective students should carefully evaluate the financial implications of attending a private university.
5. UNC Adams School of Dentistry
Best for North Carolina Residents
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has established a strong reputation for dental education, research, and public service.
Its Adams School of Dentistry offers comprehensive clinical training and opportunities to work with diverse patient populations.
For eligible North Carolina residents, UNC may provide one of the strongest combinations of academic quality and affordability.
6. University of Washington School of Dentistry
Best Dental School in the Pacific Northwest
The University of Washington is a leading public research institution with a longstanding commitment to healthcare education.
Its dental school emphasizes clinical preparation, oral health research, and community engagement.
Washington is particularly attractive to students interested in practicing in the Pacific Northwest.
7. NYU College of Dentistry
Best for Clinical Exposure in New York City
NYU operates one of the largest dental education programs in the United States.
Its Manhattan location provides opportunities to treat a diverse patient population and develop professional connections in a major healthcare market.
However, students should carefully consider class size, faculty access, tuition, and New York City living expenses.
8. UCLA School of Dentistry
Best for Dental Education in Southern California
UCLA combines strong research credentials with a prestigious public university environment.
Its strengths include oral biology, clinical dentistry, and interdisciplinary healthcare research.
California residents may find UCLA particularly appealing, although the cost of living in Los Angeles remains substantial.
9. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Best Value Contender in New York State
The University at Buffalo offers a respected dental education within the State University of New York system.
For eligible New York residents, Buffalo may provide significant financial advantages over private institutions such as NYU and Columbia.
Its combination of clinical education, research, and comparatively affordable regional living expenses makes it particularly attractive.
10. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Best for Clinical Dentistry in Boston
Tufts offers extensive clinical training in one of America's most important healthcare and academic centers.
Its location provides access to professional networks and opportunities for advanced education.
However, tuition and living expenses can create a substantial financial commitment.
11. Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Best for Dentistry and Academic Medicine
Columbia University offers a distinctive educational environment through its integration with the university's medical and biomedical sciences programs.
Its dental school may appeal to students interested in academic dentistry, healthcare research, and competitive specialty training.
Columbia's Ivy League reputation also provides broad institutional recognition.
Nevertheless, students should compare its costs with those of public dental schools before committing.
12. Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Best for Digital Dentistry and Clinical Innovation
Boston University has invested in modern dental education, including digital technologies and contemporary clinical training.
Its location in Boston provides access to a major healthcare and research ecosystem.
Students should evaluate the balance between its clinical opportunities and private-school tuition.
13. University of Iowa College of Dentistry
Best Dental School in Iowa
The University of Iowa is a respected public institution with a comprehensive dental education program.
Its College of Dentistry offers clinical training, specialty education, and research opportunities.
Iowa may be particularly attractive to students interested in practicing in the Midwest or pursuing an affordable public-university education.
14. Ohio State University College of Dentistry
Best Dental School in Ohio
Ohio State combines the resources of a major public research university with comprehensive dental education.
Its Columbus location provides access to a substantial patient population and professional opportunities.
Ohio residents should consider the potential financial benefits of attending an in-state public institution.
15. University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Best for Dental Research in Pennsylvania
The University of Pittsburgh benefits from its connections to a major academic medical center.
Its dental school offers opportunities in clinical dentistry, oral biology, and interdisciplinary research.
Students interested in healthcare innovation and advanced dental specialties may find Pittsburgh especially appealing.
16. University of Florida College of Dentistry
Best Dental School in Florida
The University of Florida is a major public research institution with a well-established dental program.
Its Gainesville location offers access to a large university healthcare environment.
Florida residents should examine its tuition advantages and residency requirements when comparing programs.
17. University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Best for Dental Education in Maryland
The University of Maryland School of Dentistry traces its history to the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, founded in 1840 and widely recognized as the world's first dental college.
The institution offers extensive clinical education and research opportunities.
Its Baltimore location provides access to a diverse patient population and major healthcare institutions.
18. University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
Best Dental School in Connecticut
UConn's School of Dental Medicine is located at UConn Health in Farmington.
Its integration with medical education creates opportunities for interdisciplinary training.
Connecticut residents interested in remaining in the Northeast should consider UConn alongside Columbia, NYU, Buffalo, and Harvard.
19. University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
Best Dental School in Minnesota
The University of Minnesota offers comprehensive dental education within a major public research university.
Its strengths include clinical training, oral health research, and community dentistry.
For Minnesota residents, the university may offer a financially attractive alternative to private dental schools.
20. University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
Best for Urban Clinical Training in Chicago
UIC benefits from its location in one of America's largest metropolitan areas.
Students have opportunities to encounter diverse clinical conditions and patient populations.
Its public-university structure may also offer financial advantages to eligible Illinois residents.
21. USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
Best Private Dental School in Los Angeles
The University of Southern California offers extensive clinical education and access to a large professional network.
Its Los Angeles location can be attractive to students interested in practicing in Southern California.
However, USC's private tuition and regional living expenses make financial planning particularly important.
22. Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
Best for Dental Education in Dallas
Texas A&M's College of Dentistry offers clinical education and research opportunities in Dallas.
Its location provides access to one of America's largest metropolitan healthcare markets.
Texas residents should examine the school's tuition structure and compare it with other public dental programs in the state.
23. Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
Best Dental School on Long Island
Stony Brook University offers dental education within a major public research institution.
Its relatively small-school environment and proximity to New York City may appeal to students seeking clinical training in the Northeast.
For New York residents, Stony Brook deserves consideration alongside Buffalo and the state's private dental schools.
24. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine
Best Private Dental School in Cleveland
Case Western Reserve offers dental education within a research-oriented university environment.
Students benefit from access to Cleveland's extensive medical community and opportunities for interdisciplinary learning.
Its private-school tuition requires careful comparison with less expensive public alternatives.
25. UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
Best for Clinical Dentistry in South Texas
UT Health San Antonio offers comprehensive dental education and advanced specialty training.
Its location provides opportunities to serve diverse patient populations across South Texas.
For eligible Texas residents, the institution may represent an attractive combination of clinical preparation and public-university value.
Which Dental Schools Are the Hardest to Get Into?
Harvard, UCLA, UCSF, Michigan, Columbia, Penn, and other highly regarded dental schools attract competitive applicant pools.
However, applicants should be cautious when comparing acceptance rates.
Dental schools differ substantially in class size, residency preferences, and admissions requirements.
Public universities may prioritize in-state applicants, making admission significantly more difficult for nonresidents.
A school with a relatively high overall acceptance rate may still be exceptionally competitive for out-of-state students.
What GPA Do You Need for a Top 25 Dental School?
A GPA of approximately 3.7 or higher can strengthen an application to a highly selective dental school, although admissions decisions depend on numerous factors.
Strong grades in biology, chemistry, physics, and other prerequisite sciences are particularly important.
Dental Admission Test performance, clinical shadowing, research, community service, and interviews also influence admissions decisions.
Applicants should remember that the DAT adopted a new 200–600 scoring scale in 2025. Older admissions statistics using the previous 1–30 scale should not be compared directly with current scores.
How Much Does Dental School Cost in 2027?
Dental school tuition varies significantly.
At some private institutions, four years of tuition alone can exceed $300,000.
Housing, transportation, equipment, insurance, and borrowing costs can increase the total considerably.
Public dental schools may offer substantial savings to eligible state residents.
Students should compare total four-year cost of attendance rather than tuition alone.
For someone planning to enter general dentistry, reducing educational debt may have a greater financial impact than attending a marginally more prestigious institution.
Does Dental School Prestige Matter?
Prestige can influence research opportunities, academic connections, and access to certain specialty training environments.
However, institutional reputation is only one component of professional success.
For general dentists, clinical competence, patient relationships, business management, and geographic location may ultimately matter more.
A graduate of an accredited public dental school can build an extremely successful practice without attending Harvard, Columbia, or Penn.
The financial advantages of graduating with less debt can also be substantial.
What Is the Best Dental School for the Money?
Public universities deserve particular attention.
Michigan, UNC, Buffalo, UCLA, Washington, Florida, Iowa, Ohio State, and other public institutions may provide attractive educational opportunities for qualifying residents.
However, public-school tuition advantages vary, and some institutions charge substantially higher rates to nonresidents.
Students should also investigate scholarships, financial aid, and projected living expenses.
The most financially attractive school is often the institution that combines strong clinical training with manageable debt.
Final Verdict: The Best Dental Schools in America for 2027
The University of Michigan enters the 2027 admissions cycle as America's highest-ranked dental school in the latest QS dentistry rankings.
UCSF, Harvard, Penn, and UNC complete the national top five.
However, Columbia, UCLA, NYU, Buffalo, Tufts, and numerous other institutions offer excellent opportunities.
Students interested in academic dentistry and competitive specialty training may prioritize research-intensive universities.
Those planning to enter general dentistry should pay particular attention to tuition, clinical experience, and projected educational debt.
Ultimately, the best dental school is not necessarily the institution with the most prestigious name.
It is the institution that provides the strongest combination of clinical preparation, professional opportunities, and long-term financial value.
Sources and Further Reading
QS World University Rankings by Subject: Dentistry 2026
Becker's Dental Review: Top-Ranked U.S. Dental Schools in 2026
American Dental Association: Dental Education Statistics
American Dental Education Association
Commission on Dental Accreditation
Editorial note: This article is a 2027 admissions guide based on information available in October 2026. It is not an official 2027 QS ranking. Positions 13–25 are editorial selections, and applicants should verify current tuition, admissions requirements, and program information directly with each institution.
