Most of the dental assisting programs we researched by visiting the program websites cost about $15,000. There are quite a few factors that go into the cost of dental assistant schools. They include private school versus public, diploma versus certificate or associate degree, and in-state school versus out of state.
Differences Between Dental Assistant Programs
Dental assisting certification and diploma programs, because they take about half as long as an associate degree program, will cost significantly less. Diploma programs can take as few as 10 months. Associate degrees take 2 years to complete. Enrolling in a public school within your home state can also reduce the cost, as well. Out-of-state tuition is higher than state resident tuition.
Cost Of Training At Example Schools
Each of these dental assisting programs may cover different materials and take different lengths of time to complete.
Carrington College - dental assisting program: $14,322
Altierus Career College - CDA diploma program: $15,000
American College for Medical Careers - dental assisting with expanded functions certificate: $15,000
Blake Austin College - dental assistant program: $18,100
Brookline College - dental assisting diploma program: $20,000
Harris School of Business - dental assisting certificate program: $15,620
Pima Medical Institute - dental assistant certificate program: $14,988
Florida Career College - dental assisting program: $20,500
Platt College - dental assisting diploma program: $15,420
Porter & Chester Institute - certificate in dental assisting program - $16,650
The cost estimates above are from the most recent information available. Most available information lists costs from 2017 and 2018. Some estimates include tuition and fees, and some are for tuition only. Books and other expenses may add to these totals as well. And at schools with more than one location, the price of tuition and fees may vary at their different campuses.
Be sure to contact your local dental assisting school’s admissions department for up-to-date 2020 cost information.
Financial Aid To Help With Cost
Financial aid can lower the cost of dental assistant training substantially. You should contact the financial aid department of the school you plan on attending, they will help you find all the available scholarships, loans, and grants. We wrote an article about it; learn more about financial aid for dental assisting school.
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