How to pay for dental school

Dental school can be a meaningful investment in your future—especially if you're motivated to help people feel better and more confident in their everyday lives. Whether you’re interested in preventive care, restorative dentistry, or specialized practice, becoming a dentist combines hands-on care with long-term impact. 

But between tuition, clinical requirements, specialized equipment, and years of training ahead, figuring out how to pay for dental school can feel complex. The good news? It's more doable than you think, and you’re not limited to a single way to pay. Research from Sallie Mae's How America Pays for Graduate School shows dental students use a mix of their own savings, scholarships, financial aid, and graduate student loans to make school work financially.

This guide helps you understand the full cost of dental school, compare those costs with potential career outcomes, and choose funding options that support your goals.

Key steps to paying for dental school

Paying for dental school works best when you take a clear, step-by-step approach that balances costs, outcomes, and long-term goals.

1. Understand costs and future earnings. Look beyond tuition to include instruments, lab fees, licensing exams, and living expenses—and compare those costs to salaries and career paths in dentistry.

2. Maximize free money. Prioritize scholarships, grants, and other funding you don't need to pay back before turning to loans.

3. Borrow smart. Compare federal and private dental school loans. Cut costs where you can, and borrow only what you need so you can manage payments through residency and beyond.

1. Understand costs and future earnings

Paying for dental school starts with understanding the full financial picture—and what that investment may return over time. That means pairing total costs with realistic career outcomes. 

Nearly 8 in 10 dental students say they expect their degree to increase their earning potential — and most choose programs based on career impact, not just cost. Evaluating both sides of the equation helps you decide whether the investment makes sense for your goals.

Source: How America Pays for Graduate School

What are the average dental school costs?

Dental school costs vary widely based on school type, residency status, and location.

Typical annual tuition ranges (approximate):

• Public dental schools (in-state): $30,000–$50,000
• Public dental schools (out-of-state): $50,000–$70,000
• Private dental schools: $55,000–$75,000+

Tuition is only part of the picture. Dental students also face program-specific expenses that are often higher than many other graduate programs, including:

• Lab and clinical fees
• Required dental instruments and equipment
• Board and licensing exams
• Books, technology, and clinical supplies

When tuition and non-tuition expenses are combined, total annual costs often reach $70,000–$100,000+. Over four years, many students face total dental school costs of roughly $280,000–$400,000 or more, depending on the program.

Why dental school costs vary

Dental school costs can look very different from one program to the next. Some key factors include:

• Public vs. private institutions
  Public schools often cost less for in-state residents, while private schools may charge higher tuition—but sometimes offer institutional scholarships.
• In-state vs. out-of-state tuition
  Residency status can change total costs by tens of thousands over four years.
• Geographic location
  Housing, transportation, and everyday expenses vary widely by region.
• Program structure and clinical requirements
  Equipment needs, clinic schedules, and program timelines can all affect total cost.

How to find your full cost of attendance (COA)

Tuition doesn’t tell the whole story. A school’s cost of attendance (COA) includes estimated non-tuition expenses such as housing, food, transportation, health insurance, and clinical supplies.

Before you commit, it’s worth comparing programs side by side so you can plan with fewer surprises. Tools like Scout College Search can help you compare schools and see estimated costs and outcomes.

How much do dentists make?

Understanding potential earnings helps put dental school costs into context.

Dentist salaries vary based on specialty, practice setting, location, and experience.

Typical annual salary ranges (approximate):

• General dentists: $160,000–$210,000
• Dental specialists (such as orthodontists or oral surgeons): $250,000–$350,000+

Early-career earnings may be lower for dentists completing residencies, working in public health roles, or joining group practices before moving into ownership.

Because outcomes vary, it’s important to think carefully about how much you plan to borrow and how that aligns with your intended career path. Remember, your return on your investment won't just be financial. It’s also the opportunity to build long-term patient relationships and make a difference in peoples' lives.

2. Maximize free money

Free money should always be your first stop when figuring out how to pay for dental school. Scholarships and grants can significantly reduce how much you need to borrow over four years.

Federal aid and the FAFSA^®

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) isn’t just for undergraduates. Completing it each year is required to access federal student loans and may also be used by dental schools to award certain grants or scholarships. Even if you don’t expect need-based aid, filing the FAFSA keeps your options open. For step-by-step help, see our FAFSA^® Guide.

Dental school grants and service-based programs

Some dental students qualify for grants or service-based funding tied to workforce or public health initiatives. These programs may offer tuition assistance, stipends, or loan repayment in exchange for service commitments, often in underserved communities.

For eligible students, service-based programs can meaningfully reduce long-term dental school costs.

What scholarships are available for dental students?

Scholarships can help lower the cost of dental school because they don’t need to be repaid—and you can apply for as many as you want. Applying early and continuing to apply each year can help reduce how much you need to pay or borrow for dental school. Start by exploring dental school scholarships. If you’re interested in related programs (or starting your path in dental hygiene), you can also look at dental hygienist scholarships. And using tools like Scholly Scholarships can help you find opportunities that match your background, academic interests, or career goals.

For an easy start, consider Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships and the $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship. These options don’t require long applications or essays, and you can apply monthly without any extra stress.

3. Borrow smart

Even after scholarships and grants, many dental students still rely on loans to cover remaining costs. The key is to borrow thoughtfully so loans support your future—without limiting flexibility during residency and beyond.

Federal vs. private student loans

Federal student loans are often a good starting point. They’re issued by the U.S. Department of Education and may offer options private loans don’t, such as income-driven repayment programs. Private dental student loans, offered by banks and other lenders, can help fill funding gaps once you’ve maximized free money and federal loans.

Federal loans for medical students

Dental students may qualify for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which don’t require a credit check or cosigner. Interest begins accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed—even while you’re in school—and you're responsible for all of it. Because of recent changes to federal loans, the graduate PLUS loan will no longer be available as of July 1, 2026.

What are the new federal loan limits for dental students?

As of July 1, 2026, new borrowing limits apply to federal graduate loans:

• Professional degree students: Up to $50,000 per year ($200,000 lifetime)
  Professional degrees include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, and clinical psychology.
• Graduate students: Up to $20,500 per year ($100,000 lifetime)

Because total dental school costs often exceed these limits—and the federal PLUS loan program has been eliminated—many students may need to adjust their funding plan.

Look for ways to maximize free money like scholarships and grants—and explore private student loans to cover remaining costs.

Using private student loans to fill the gap

Private loans can play a strategic role in your funding plan when scholarships and federal loans aren’t enough. Consider terms, rates, and repayment options carefully, as well the repayment schedule through residency and into practice. Some students use private loan options like the Sallie Mae® Dental School Loan  to cover their remaining costs.

Before you borrow…

1. Review your federal aid offer. Look at the breakdown of grants and federal loans, then calculate what you still need after savings and other sources.
2. Factor in federal loan limits. Understand how annual and lifetime caps affect your total borrowing plan. For details, check out Sallie Mae's guide to PLUS loan changes.
3. Think long term. Don't just look at the amount you need today. Consider how your expected salary aligns with how much you plan to borrow. Use a loan calculator to estimate your payments ahead of time.

Borrowing smart isn’t just about getting the loan — it’s about building a plan that supports your goals and future earning potential. For more tools and guidance, see the Sallie Mae Student Loan Guide.

Using private student loans to fill the gap

When scholarships and federal loans aren’t enough, private dental school loans can play a strategic role. Many students explore the Sallie Mae^® dental school loan alongside federal aid to help cover remaining education-related expenses such as tuition, housing, and required equipment.

If you’re comparing private options, it can also be helpful to review graduate student loans. Understanding how loans differ by school type can help you choose a path that fits your timeline and budget.

Before borrowing, think long term. Consider how your expected earnings, practice plans, and career timeline align with how much you plan to borrow.

Planning ahead for dental residency and post-graduation costs

Dental school expenses don’t necessarily end at graduation. Many students also face costs related to residency applications, licensing exams, interviews, and relocation.

Some students use a specialized option like a dental residency and relocation loan to help bridge the transition from school to professional training.

Other ways to pay for dental school

In addition to scholarships and loans, you may be able to reduce costs through:

• School-based or institutional aid
• Government or public service programs
• Military education benefits

Not sure dentistry is the right path yet?

If you’re still exploring your options, it can help to step back and look at the full picture—from what you’ll study to how different programs compare. These resources can help you learn more and decide what path makes the most sense for you:

• What is a dentistry major?
• What is a master’s degree (and is it right for you?)
• Scout College Search (Explore schools by majors, degree programs, and estimated costs.)

Journey with confidence from dental school to practice

A thoughtful dental school funding plan can give you more flexibility as your career takes shape. By understanding costs, maximizing scholarships and grants, and borrowing only what you need, you can move through dental school with greater confidence and position yourself for a career centered on patient care, professional growth, and long-term financial stability.