The average amount of dental school debt has increased by 587% since 1996, according to data from the Education Data Initiative.
The Education Data Initiative provides information on dental school costs and debt in the U.S.
Here is the average dental school debt balance after graduation for each year since 1996, adjusted for inflation:
| Graduation Year | Average debt adjusted for inflation |
| 1996 | $40,745 |
| 1997 | $46,382 |
| 1998 | $48,875 |
| 1999 | $53,856 |
| 2000 | $56,364 |
| 2001 | $63,037 |
| 2002 | $67,539 |
| 2003 | $74,828 |
| 2004 | $79,042 |
| 2005 | $85,489 |
| 2006 | $100,539 |
| 2007 | $110,409 |
| 2008 | $124,558 |
| 2009 | $123,545 |
| 2010 | $131,521 |
| 2011 | $141,331 |
| 2012 | $155,960 |
| 2013 | $171,746 |
| 2014 | $179,052 |
| 2015 | $184,200 |
| 2016 | $192,444 |
| 2017 | $216,076 |
| 2018 | $220,081 |
| 2019 | $213,875 |
| 2020 | $225,522 |
| 2021 | $232,590 |
| 2022 | $251,266 |
| 2023 | $262,196 |
| 2024 | $286,381 |
| 2025 | $280,300 |
