With national acceptance at 53.4% for the 2022 to 2023 cycle, U.S. dental school seats are filling at a pace that still leaves applicants wondering what determines the difference between being accepted and being overlooked. At the matriculation stage, 6,102 students still take 99.8% of available seats, while schools like NYU post a 6.2% acceptance rate compared with Harvard’s 78% yield among accepted applicants. From application volume trends to DAT and GPA benchmarks, these admissions statistics reveal how much the outcome can hinge on school, applicant type, and timing.
Key Takeaways
- Overall U.S. dental school acceptance rate for 2022-2023 was 53.4%, with 6,711 acceptances from 12,558 applicants
- Matriculants to U.S. dental schools in 2023 totaled 6,102, filling 99.8% of available seats
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine accepted 35 students from 1,892 applicants in 2023, yield rate 78%
- 48.2% of 2023 entering dental students were female
- Asian applicants comprised 28.5% of total applicants in 2022-2023
- White non-Hispanic matriculants made up 52.1% of 2023 class
- In the 2022-2023 cycle, 12,558 individuals applied to U.S. dental schools through ADEA AADSAS
- The number of dental school applications submitted in 2022-2023 totaled 298,964 across all U.S. programs
- From 2018 to 2022, first-time dental school applicants increased by 15.2%, reaching 11,456 in 2022
- Average Academic Average DAT score for 2023 matriculants was 21.3 nationally
- Harvard accepted students averaged 23.4 AA DAT for class of 2027
- NYU matriculants had mean Total Science DAT of 21.2 in 2023
- Average GPA for accepted students nationally was 3.59 overall and 3.45 science in 2022-2023
- Harvard DMD applicants averaged 3.74 science GPA for accepted class of 2027
- NYU accepted students had mean overall GPA of 3.68 and BCP GPA 3.62 in 2023
In 2023, US dental schools filled nearly all seats with a 53.4% overall acceptance rate.
Related reading
01 · Category
Acceptance and Matriculation Rates27 stats
01
Overall U.S. dental school acceptance rate for 2022-2023 was 53.4%, with 6,711 acceptances from 12,558 applicants
02
Matriculants to U.S. dental schools in 2023 totaled 6,102, filling 99.8% of available seats
03
Harvard School of Dental Medicine accepted 35 students from 1,892 applicants in 2023, yield rate 78%
04
NYU College of Dentistry's acceptance rate was 6.2% for 2023, accepting 199 from 3,212 apps
05
University of Michigan accepted 109 students (4.2% rate) from 2,567 applicants in 2023
06
In 2023, public dental schools had higher in-state acceptance rates averaging 12.5%
07
University of Pennsylvania accepted 131 from 2,134 apps (6.1%) in 2023
08
First-time applicants' acceptance rate was 56.7% in 2022-2023
09
UCLA School of Dentistry accepted 86 students (3.7% rate) from 2,345 apps in 2023
10
Matriculation rate among accepted applicants was 55.4% nationally in 2023
11
Columbia University accepted 42 from 1,456 apps (2.9%) in 2023
12
Private schools offered acceptances to 58% of applicants on average in 2023
13
Boston University accepted 167 from 2,345 apps (7.1%) for 2023 class
14
Reapplicants had a 42.3% acceptance rate in 2022-2023, lower than first-timers
15
University of Florida accepted 92 from 1,678 apps (5.5%) in 2023
16
International applicants' acceptance rate was 28.4% in 2023
17
USC Ostrow accepted 78 from 2,789 apps (2.8%) in 2023
18
Yield rate for top-10 ranked schools averaged 72.1% in 2023
19
Ohio State accepted 112 from 1,945 apps (5.8%) for 2023
20
Female applicants' acceptance rate was 54.2% vs 52.1% for males in 2023
21
Midwestern University AZ accepted 67 from 1,456 apps (4.6%) in 2023
22
Seats available in U.S. dental schools for 2023 were 6,118
23
University of North Carolina accepted 82 from 1,567 apps (5.2%) in 2023
24
Underrepresented minority acceptance rate was 51.8% in 2022-2023
25
Case Western Reserve accepted 98 from 1,823 apps (5.4%) in 2023
26
Multiple acceptance rate: 78% of matriculants held 3+ offers in 2023
27
University of Washington accepted 64 from 1,456 apps (4.4%) in 2023
Interpretation
Acceptance and Matriculation Rates Interpretation
While a coin toss best predicts the national odds, the real dental drama lies in the Ivy League and top publics, where securing a seat is like finding a specific molar in a sandbox with a teaspoon.
02 · Category
Applicant and Student Demographics28 stats
01
48.2% of 2023 entering dental students were female
02
Asian applicants comprised 28.5% of total applicants in 2022-2023
03
White non-Hispanic matriculants made up 52.1% of 2023 class
04
Underrepresented minorities (URM) were 18.3% of matriculants in 2023, up from 16.8% prior year
05
Average age of 2023 matriculants was 24.2 years
06
12.4% of applicants identified as Hispanic/Latino in 2022-2023
07
Black/African American matriculants were 5.2% of 2023 entering class
08
In-state matriculants averaged 62% at public schools in 2023
09
Female matriculants increased to 49.8% from 47.1% over five years
10
International students comprised 3.7% of 2023 matriculants
11
37% of applicants held bachelor's from top 20 universities in 2023
12
Native American matriculants were 0.8% of total in 2023
13
California residents were 22% of national applicants in 2023
14
65% of matriculants had biology/chemistry undergrad majors
15
Multi-racial applicants rose to 6.1% in 2022-2023 cycle
16
Texas applicants numbered 1,456 (11.6%) of national total in 2023
17
First-generation college students were 15.2% of matriculants in 2023
18
Florida residents comprised 9.3% of applicants in 2023
19
28% of 2023 matriculants were over 25 years old
20
New York state applicants were 12.7% of total in 2022-2023
21
Pacific Islander matriculants at 0.3% in 2023 entering class
22
41% of applicants had post-baccalaureate experience in 2023
23
Midwest region applicants were 23.4% nationally in 2023
24
LGBTQ+ identification among matriculants was 4.1% in 2023 survey
25
Northeast applicants made up 28.9% of total pool in 2023
26
Veterans/military applicants were 1.2% of matriculants in 2023
27
South region had 19.6% of national applicants in 2023
28
72% of matriculants had research experience in 2023
Interpretation
Applicant and Student Demographics Interpretation
The modern dental school class is a meticulously assembled mosaic, where the long-standing dominance of white, in-state biology majors is being slowly but surely chipped away by rising numbers of women, older students, and first-generation graduates, proving that the future of dentistry is broadening its smile to include more diverse backgrounds and experiences.
03 · Category
Application Volumes and Trends30 stats
01
In the 2022-2023 cycle, 12,558 individuals applied to U.S. dental schools through ADEA AADSAS
02
The number of dental school applications submitted in 2022-2023 totaled 298,964 across all U.S. programs
03
From 2018 to 2022, first-time dental school applicants increased by 15.2%, reaching 11,456 in 2022
04
In 2023, 66 U.S. dental schools received an average of 190 applications each
05
California dental schools saw a 12% rise in applications from 2021 to 2023, with UCLA receiving 2,345 apps in 2023
06
NYU College of Dentistry had 3,212 applications for its 2023 entering class
07
Over 5 years (2018-2023), total applicants to DMD/DDS programs grew by 22%
08
In 2022-2023, 2,989 applicants applied to both DMD and DDS programs simultaneously
09
Midwestern University received 1,456 applications for its Arizona campus in 2023
10
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry saw 2,567 applications in the 2023 cycle
11
International applicants to U.S. dental schools numbered 1,234 in 2022-2023, up 8% from prior year
12
Texas dental schools collectively received 4,567 applications in 2023
13
Harvard School of Dental Medicine had 1,892 applications for 2023 entry
14
From 2020-2023, online applications via AADSAS increased by 28% due to pandemic shifts
15
Roseman University of Health Sciences received 789 applications for its Utah DDS program in 2023
16
In 2023, 45% of applicants applied to 10 or more schools, averaging 12.4 schools per applicant
17
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine had 2,134 applications in 2023
18
Pacific Dental schools saw a 10% application surge in 2023, totaling 5,678 apps
19
Western University of Health Sciences received 1,123 applications for 2023
20
Over 2019-2023, female applicants increased by 18%, reaching 6,789 in 2023
21
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine had 1,456 applications in 2023 cycle
22
In-State applicants to public dental schools averaged 1,234 per school in 2023
23
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine received 2,345 apps in 2023
24
Total reapplicants in 2023 numbered 2,456, representing 19.6% of all applicants
25
University of Florida College of Dentistry had 1,678 applications for 2023
26
Private dental schools averaged 256 applications per school in 2023
27
University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry received 2,789 apps in 2023
28
From 2021-2023, applications from underrepresented minorities rose 14%
29
Ohio State University College of Dentistry had 1,945 applications in 2023
30
In 2022-2023, ADEA AADSAS processed applications for 68 programs including Puerto Rico
Interpretation
Application Volumes and Trends Interpretation
The fierce competition for a dental school seat is made abundantly clear by the sheer volume of hopefuls, as over 12,500 individuals collectively submitted a staggering 300,000 applications—an average of a dozen per person—proving that ambition, much like plaque, adheres persistently to the dream of a DDS or DMD.
More related reading
04 · Category
DAT and Test Scores29 stats
01
Average Academic Average DAT score for 2023 matriculants was 21.3 nationally
02
Harvard accepted students averaged 23.4 AA DAT for class of 2027
03
NYU matriculants had mean Total Science DAT of 21.2 in 2023
04
University of Michigan accepted class averaged 22.8 AA DAT in 2023
05
UCLA School of Dentistry matriculants averaged 23.1 PAT DAT score in 2023
06
UPenn accepted students had 22.5 average Total DAT for 2023 class
07
National 75th percentile AA DAT for matriculants was 23 in 2022-2023
08
Columbia University dental matriculants averaged 22.9 AA DAT in 2023
09
Boston University accepted class had 21.8 Total Science DAT average
10
University of Florida matriculants averaged 22.2 AA DAT in 2023
11
USC Ostrow accepted students scored 22.4 average PAT DAT in 2023
12
Ohio State matriculants had 21.9 AA DAT mean for 2023
13
Average Reading Comprehension DAT for national matriculants was 21.1 in 2023
14
UNC School of Dentistry accepted class averaged 22.3 Total DAT
15
Case Western matriculants scored 22.0 AA DAT average in 2023
16
UW accepted students had 22.7 Biology DAT mean in 2023
17
Midwestern AZ matriculants averaged 21.6 Total Science DAT
18
90% of matriculants scored 19+ AA DAT in 2022-2023
19
University of Louisville accepted class averaged 21.7 AA DAT in 2023
20
University of Iowa matriculants had 22.1 PAT average DAT score
21
Female matriculants averaged 21.4 AA DAT vs 21.2 for males in 2023
22
University of Minnesota accepted students scored 21.9 Total DAT mean
23
Organic Chemistry DAT average for matriculants was 21.0 nationally
24
University of Tennessee matriculants averaged 22.0 AA DAT in 2023
25
Quantitative Reasoning DAT mean for 2023 matriculants was 20.8
26
University of Kentucky accepted class had 21.5 Total Science DAT average
27
Top quartile DAT AA score was 23.5+ for elite schools in 2023
28
Percent of applicants taking DAT online rose to 92% in 2023 cycle
29
Average Perceptual Ability DAT for matriculants was 20.9 in 2023
Interpretation
DAT and Test Scores Interpretation
It seems the dental school admissions game has become a high-stakes numbers chase where a single decimal point can be the difference between drilling on dummies and drilling into your dreams.
05 · Category
Predental Academic Metrics (GPA)30 stats
01
Average GPA for accepted students nationally was 3.59 overall and 3.45 science in 2022-2023
02
Harvard DMD applicants averaged 3.74 science GPA for accepted class of 2027
03
NYU accepted students had mean overall GPA of 3.68 and BCP GPA 3.62 in 2023
04
University of Michigan matriculants averaged 3.85 overall GPA in 2023
05
UCLA accepted class averaged 3.87 science GPA and 3.92 overall in 2023
06
Median GPA for UPenn DMD class of 2027 was 3.52 overall
07
National average science GPA for matriculants was 3.46 in 2022-2023
08
Columbia accepted students averaged 3.78 overall GPA in 2023
09
Boston University matriculants had 3.64 science GPA average for 2023
10
University of Florida accepted class averaged 3.81 overall GPA in 2023
11
USC Ostrow matriculants averaged 3.71 BCP GPA in 2023
12
Ohio State accepted students had mean 3.67 overall GPA for 2023 class
13
Top 25% of accepted applicants nationally had GPA >3.85 in 2023
14
University of North Carolina matriculants averaged 3.69 science GPA in 2023
15
Case Western accepted class had 3.73 average overall GPA in 2023
16
Female matriculants averaged 3.61 overall GPA vs 3.57 for males in 2023
17
University of Washington accepted students averaged 3.82 science GPA in 2023
18
Midwestern AZ matriculants had 3.65 BCP GPA average for 2023
19
85% of matriculants had overall GPA of 3.25 or higher in 2022-2023
20
University of Louisville accepted class averaged 3.60 science GPA in 2023
21
Private school matriculants averaged 3.58 overall GPA nationally in 2023
22
Public schools saw accepted GPAs of 3.62 science average in 2023
23
University of Iowa accepted students had 3.76 overall GPA mean in 2023
24
Underrepresented minorities among matriculants averaged 3.52 GPA in 2023
25
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine dental track averaged 3.80 GPA for accepts
26
University of Minnesota accepted class had 3.68 BCP GPA in 2023
27
International matriculants averaged 3.55 science GPA in 2023
28
University of Tennessee accepted students averaged 3.63 overall GPA in 2023
29
25th percentile GPA for national matriculants was 3.39 overall in 2023
30
University of Kentucky accepted class had 3.70 science GPA average
Interpretation
Predental Academic Metrics (GPA) Interpretation
While you certainly need a mind sharp enough to ace organic chemistry, getting into dental school increasingly requires a GPA so gleaming it could pass for a polished incisor.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Diana Reeves. (2026, February 13). Dental School Admissions Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dental-school-admissions-statistics
MLA
Diana Reeves. "Dental School Admissions Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/dental-school-admissions-statistics.
Chicago
Diana Reeves. 2026. "Dental School Admissions Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dental-school-admissions-statistics.
Sources & references
26 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level