USC Acceptance Rate
5.50%
Based on 2024 entering class data
USC Average GPA
3.76
Class of 2028
USC Average DAT
21
Class of 2028
Applying to dental school is a competitive endeavor, and for those looking beyond their home state, it can feel even more challenging. Many public institutions prioritize in-state residents, making it crucial for out-of-state applicants to be strategic. This guide is designed to highlight out-of-state friendly dental schools, helping you focus your efforts and resources on the institutions where you have the best chance of success.
5.50%
Based on 2024 entering class data
3.76
Class of 2028
21
Class of 2028
| Rank | Dental School | State | Type | Acceptance Rate | Enrollment | Total OOS | OOS % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC | CA | Private | 5.50% | 144 | 34 | 23.61% |
| 2 | Harvard University | MA | Private | 3.3% | 35 | 29 | 82.86% |
| 3 | University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) | CA | Public | 6.44% | 118 | 22 | 18.64% |
| 4 | Columbia University | NY | Private | 5.86% | 84 | 64 | 76.19% |
| 5 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | CA | Public | 6.36% | 88 | 14 | 15.91% |
| 6 | University of Pennsylvania | PA | Private | 5.7% | 125 | 95 | 76.00% |
| 7 | University of Michigan | MI | Public | 8.5% | 109 | 45 | 41.28% |
| 8 | University of Washington | WA | Public | 5.9% | 63 | 18 | 28.57% |
| 9 | New York University (NYU) | NY | Private | 11.4% | 375 | 250 | 66.67% |
| 10 | University of North Carolina (UNC) | NC | Public | 6.2% | 82 | 12 | 14.63% |
| 11 | Tufts University | MA | Private | 6.9% | 200 | 160 | 80.00% |
| 12 | University of Florida | FL | Public | 8.1% | 92 | 10 | 10.87% |
| 13 | Boston University | MA | Private | 5.1% | 115 | 95 | 82.61% |
| 14 | University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) | IL | Public | 9.3% | 68 | 25 | 36.76% |
| 15 | Case Western Reserve University | OH | Private | 6.5% | 72 | 55 | 76.39% |
| 16 | University of Maryland | MD | Public | 9.8% | 130 | 45 | 34.62% |
| 17 | University of Iowa | IA | Public | 10.2% | 80 | 35 | 43.75% |
| 18 | University at Buffalo | NY | Public | 7.4% | 90 | 40 | 44.44% |
| 19 | University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) | AL | Public | 11.5% | 64 | 12 | 18.75% |
| 20 | The Ohio State University | OH | Public | 9.5% | 110 | 30 | 27.27% |
| 21 | Rutgers University | NJ | Public | 8.2% | 95 | 25 | 26.32% |
| 22 | Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) | VA | Public | 7.6% | 94 | 30 | 31.91% |
| 23 | Indiana University | IN | Public | 10.5% | 106 | 40 | 37.74% |
| 24 | Texas A&M University | TX | Public | 9.1% | 100 | 10 | 10.00% |
| 25 | University of Pittsburgh | PA | State-Related | 7.8% | 80 | 40 | 50.00% |
| 26 | University of Connecticut | CT | Public | 7.1% | 50 | 20 | 40.00% |
| 27 | Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) | SC | Public | 10.8% | 74 | 15 | 20.27% |
| 28 | University of Louisville | KY | Public | 11.2% | 80 | 25 | 31.25% |
| 29 | University of Minnesota | MN | Public | 9.9% | 100 | 35 | 35.00% |
| 30 | Creighton University | NE | Private | 8.9% | 88 | 80 | 90.91% |
| 31 | University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) | MO | Public | 12.1% | 108 | 40 | 37.04% |
| 32 | University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) | NE | Public | 13.5% | 52 | 15 | 28.85% |
| 33 | University of Oklahoma | OK | Public | 12.8% | 54 | 10 | 18.52% |
| 34 | Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) | OR | Public | 6.7% | 75 | 25 | 33.33% |
| 35 | University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | TX | Public | 8.7% | 100 | 10 | 10.00% |
| 36 | University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | TX | Public | 8.5% | 105 | 11 | 10.48% |
| 37 | Loma Linda University | CA | Private | 5.2% | 108 | - | - |
| 38 | Marquette University | WI | Private | 8.1% | 100 | 50 | 50.00% |
| 39 | University of the Pacific | CA | Private | 4.9% | 144 | - | - |
| 40 | Temple University | PA | State-Related | 7.2% | 140 | 70 | 50.00% |
| 41 | University of Tennessee | TN | Public | 10.1% | 90 | 25 | 27.78% |
| 42 | West Virginia University | WV | Public | 14.2% | 65 | 20 | 30.77% |
| 43 | Howard University | DC | Private | 4.5% | 75 | - | - |
| 44 | Meharry Medical College | TN | Private | 3.8% | 60 | - | - |
| 45 | University of Detroit Mercy | MI | Private | 9.2% | 144 | - | - |
| 46 | Midwestern University - AZ | AZ | Private | 7.5% | 140 | - | - |
| 47 | Midwestern University - IL | IL | Private | 6.8% | 134 | - | - |
| 48 | A.T. Still University - Arizona | AZ | Private | 10.3% | 82 | - | - |
| 49 | A.T. Still University - Missouri | MO | Private | 11.8% | 42 | - | - |
| 50 | Roseman University of Health Sciences | UT | Private | 9.5% | 100 | - | - |
| 51 | Western University of Health Sciences | CA | Private | 6.1% | 70 | - | - |
| 52 | LECOM School of Dental Medicine | FL | Private | 8.8% | 100 | - | - |
The friendliness of a dental school to out-of-state applicants often comes down to its funding and mission.
Private vs. Public Schools: Private universities, which do not receive state funding, are generally more open to out-of-state and international students. They often have a mission to create a diverse student body and are less bound by obligations to state residents. Public universities, on the other hand, are funded by state taxes and, therefore, often have a mandate to prioritize the education of in-state students.
Regional Pacts: Some public schools participate in regional agreements that allow students from neighboring states without a dental school to attend at a reduced tuition rate or with preferred consideration.
School-Specific Missions: Certain schools actively seek a geographically diverse class to enrich the educational environment for all students.
While many private schools are a good bet for out-of-state applicants, some public universities also have a strong track record of accepting non-residents. Here are some of the top dental schools known for being out-of-state friendly:
Private institutions are often the most welcoming to applicants from across the country.
New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry: As the largest dental school in the U.S., NYU has a significant number of seats and a long history of welcoming a diverse and geographically varied student body.
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine: Located in a major educational hub, Boston University attracts applicants from all over the globe.
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine: Another Boston-based private school, Tufts is known for its large class size and high percentage of out-of-state students.
University of Southern California (USC) Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry: USC is a top-ranked private research university that actively recruits a diverse student body.
Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine: This private university in Ohio is frequently cited as a great option for out-of-state applicants.
Creighton University School of Dentistry: A private university in Nebraska, Creighton has a reputation for being welcoming to students from all states.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry: This private Catholic university in Michigan is another excellent choice for out-of-state candidates.
While public schools tend to favor in-state applicants, several are known for their significant out-of-state enrollment.
University of Michigan School of Dentistry: This top-ranked public university is known for its inclusive environment and actively seeks students from across the country.
University of Maryland School of Dentistry: This school has a notable percentage of out-of-state students in its classes.
University of Washington School of Dentistry: Despite being a public institution, the University of Washington has a competitive program that attracts and accepts a good number of out-of-state applicants.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry: UNC is another highly-ranked public school that considers a diverse range of applicants.
University of Louisville School of Dentistry: This public university has a higher-than-average acceptance rate for out-of-state students compared to many other public institutions