According to the American Dental Association, the average total cost to attend dental school for four years is $237,230 for in-state tuition and $305,410 for out-of-state. With only 75 accredited schools spread throughout 35 U.S. states, finding a school near you could be challenging.
But graduates of dental school often lead long and fulfilling careers. The U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics expects the field of dentistry to grow by over 4% from 2024 2034 and many dentists report having a better work-life balance than other health professions.
Going to dental school can be a great choice, especially if you enjoy helping people take care of their smiles. You just have to figure out how to pay for your education, so let’s take a look at all of the ways available to you to help pay for dental school.
Look for Ways to Keep Dental School Costs Down
One of the best ways to pay for dental school is to make sure you are taking the right undergraduate classes. Like most graduate programs, dental schools have prerequisites; completing these courses as an undergraduate can save you both time and money on your dental school tuition. While prerequisites are not uniform, most schools require you to have earned several credits in biology, chemistry, and physics and suggest classes in anatomy, business, and English. Research different dental schools to find out which specific courses they require. Make a list of the most common prerequisites to understand what courses you’ll need to take before applying to dental school.
You can also save by narrowing down your school selection. Applying to multiple dental schools can add up quickly. Application fees depend on the number of dental schools you apply to. For applicants who use the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (a centralized application service for most US dental schools) it costs $264 to apply to your first dental school and $115 for each additional school. Some dental schools also have additional fees, so be sure to check before submitting your application. Do your research and make sure you’re applying to schools you have a good chance of getting into, that are near where you plan to live, and you can afford to attend.
You can also save on the Dental Admission Test (DAT), a standardized test all dental school applicants are required to take. The test costs $560 but there is a partial fee waiver that covers 50% of the costs if you demonstrate financial hardship.
Read Next: How Much Does Dental School Cost? Average Dental Degree Tuition & Costs.
Establish a Budget
Managing your money while in graduate school is key. While some of your undergrad friends might be moving on to professional jobs, you will want to try to maintain a frugal lifestyle while paying for dental school. That means limiting the times you dine out, preparing food at home more often, and potentially having roommates. You’ll have a student ID so you can take advantage of discounts and special offers exclusive to students. Some businesses may have student discounts that are not advertised, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
There are several apps available that help you manage income and spending. For example, apps like Mint and Rocket Money, keep track of your monthly bills, income, and savings.
While your schoolwork will keep you busy, some dental students work part-time to help cover additional costs. Some dental schools hire teaching assistants or research assistants so be sure to ask at your institution. You may also qualify for the federal work-study program if your school participates in the program. You can apply for work-study by completing the FAFSA.
Look for Dental School Scholarships and Grants
Looking for scholarships and grants – money you don’t have to repay – is an important part of paying for dental school. Make sure to kick off your search early and stick with it. You may get a scholarship only after your second or third attempt, or you may discover new scholarships that could help you keep your costs down. Here are a few places to start your search.
- Some universities offer grants and scholarships. For example, Penn Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has four need-based grants and four merit-based scholarships for incoming freshmen and Harvard School of Dental Medicine has over 20 scholarship opportunities. Many schools will automatically consider all who apply for admission, but others require a separate application. Be sure to check the school’s website for a list of available grants and scholarships and how to apply.
- Check out third-party organizations and companies. Professional dental organizations as well as businesses in the industry offer scholarships and grants to dental school students. The American Dental Association has merit based award programs for researchers, the American Dental Education Association has scholarships and fellowships, and the American Student Dental Association maintains a list of third-party scholarships for current dental students. And keep an eye on state and local organizations, for example, the California Dental Association offers scholarships to up and coming dentists.
- The U.S. government also has scholarships for dental students. The federal government has scholarship programs in place for students who wish to practice in high need areas. For example, the National Health Service Corps Scholarship (open to all second and third-year students pursuing primary healthcare degrees) provides a full-ride scholarship to students who agree to work in under-served communities. And if you enlist in the Army, you may be eligible for one of the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarships to have your entire dental school tuition paid for in return for military service.
- Dental school scholarships for minorities. There are scholarship and grant opportunities for minority students. For example, there are several scholarships from the Hispanic Dental Association and the National Dental Association, which promotes oral health among people of color.
- Use scholarship search engines. You may qualify for general graduate school scholarships, too. So be sure to look for opportunities on sites like Scholarships.com and Fastweb.com
Federal Student Loans for Dental School
Anyone who needs help paying for dental school should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Thanks to recent changes in federal law, the FAFSA has been simplified and is released October 1 each year. Schools use this form to determine eligibility for federal financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal student loans.
The two most common federal loans for dental students are:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Federal Unsubsidized loans are available to graduate and professional students regardless of financial need. They feature a fixed interest rate set each year by Congress. While interest begins accruing immediately, payments are typically deferred while you’re enrolled at least half-time.
- Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans: These loans can help cover remaining costs after other aid and Unsubsidized Loans are applied. Grad PLUS Loans carry a fixed interest rate, usually higher than Unsubsidized Loans, but students can take out up to the full cost of school. However Grad PLUS loans are being phased out as of July 2026 because of recent changes in federal law.
Use our student loan calculator to estimate what your federal student loans could cost.
Private Student Loans to Pay for Dental School
Private student loans are issued by banks and other private lenders like College Ave. You can choose either fixed or variable interest rates and these loans can be used to help pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, as well as school-related expenses. There are several times when it makes sense to use a private student loan to help pay for dental school.
- To close a funding gap. If you still need financial assistance after receiving federal student loans, grants, and scholarships, a private student loan can help fill in the gap.
- An unexpected change in expenses. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, like if your class schedule prohibits you from working. Taking out a private student loan can make more financial sense than, say, using a high-interest credit card to pay for education-related expenses. Be sure to shop around for the best rates.
- You have great credit or can find a cosigner that does. Credit history is one of the main ways private lenders determine your interest rate. If you have good credit, you may qualify for a low rate. While federal student loans tend to be less expensive than private student loans, there are exceptions. For example, the interest rate on the federal grad PLUS loan can sometimes be higher than for a private student loan, especially if you or your cosigner have an excellent credit score.
Before taking out a student loan it is important to have a strategy to pay it back. While these loans usually come with a 6-month student loan grace period once you graduate, you will still be charged interest during this time. Paying a small amount while in school can help lower the overall cost of the loan when you aren’t required to make payments.
Some private lenders, such as College Ave, have flexible dental school loans designed to meet the needs of aspiring dentists. These loans have a variety of interest rates and loan repayment options.
When using student loans to pay for tuition, rent, and other expenses, it’s easy to forget that you’re living on money you’ll have to repay. Instead of borrowing the maximum, try to take out only what you need.
Service-based Loan Forgiveness Programs
There are various programs in place to help dental school students pay for student loans in return for service. Unlike service-based scholarships, which help pay for your school directly, service-based loan forgiveness programs help you repay any federal or private student loans you may have taken out to pay for your education. Here are a few.
National Health Service Corps for Dentistry
The National Health Service Corps loan repayment program pays up to $50,000 of loans for students who commit to serving at least two years in a specific Health Professional Shortage Area. Students must commit for at least two years with a maximum term of four years.
Dental School State Loan Repayment Programs
Some states have loan repayment programs for dental graduates working in low-income or underserved areas. Many require a two or three-year stint before applicants are eligible for partial loan forgiveness. The American Dental Association has compiled a list of these state programs.
Military Loan Repayment Programs for Dentists
Each branch of the U.S. military offers loan forgiveness for aspiring dentists. The Army’s Loan Repayment Program (LRP) – offers up to $65,000 of outstanding loan balance. Another – the Healthcare Professionals Loan Repayment Program – offers up to $50,000 to repay your student loans.
Additional Dental School Loan Repayment Options
If you’re not eligible for the loan forgiveness programs, it’s important to have a student loan repayment strategy in place.
If you took out federal student loans and are having trouble making payments, look into income-based repayment plans, which adjust your payments according to your income. If you also work in the non-profit sector, you could qualify for a Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF), which could forgive your loans after you make 120 qualifying payments. Changes are continuing to be rolled out regarding federal student loans, including possible future changes to PSLF. Ensure you aren’t caught off guard by these changes by staying up to date on announcements from the Federal Student Aid website.
And you can consider refinancing your student loans as a way to help manage your monthly payment or lower your interest rate. If your credit score improved since you first took out the loan – and this is the case for many students when they first start working – you may qualify for a lower interest rate through refinancing. Just be careful whenever refinancing federal student loans as you will lose some benefits such as income-based repayment.
Check out strategies to pay back your student loans fast.
Bridging the Gap When Paying for Dental School
Paying for dental school is a big commitment, but with the right mix of scholarships, federal aid, smart budgeting, and responsible borrowing, it’s absolutely achievable. Start by maximizing the free money available to you, then lean on federal loans before considering private options to fill any remaining gap. If you do need extra support, College Ave offers flexible dental school loans designed to fit your budget and career path, so you can focus on becoming the dentist you’ve worked hard to be.
Apply for a College Ave Dental School Loan today and take the next step toward funding your future with confidence.
