Nearly 80% of dental school graduates take out loans to pay for dental school, according to data from the Education Data Initiative.
The Education Data Initiative provides information on dental school costs and debt in the U.S.
Data shows that dental students who graduated in 2025 owed an average of $297,800 in education debt. Debt from dental school alone was $280,300.
Here are seven statistics on how dental students are paying for their education:
1. Seventy-nine percent of dental school graduates take out loans to pay for dental school.
2. More than 80% of 2025 graduates who took out loans to fund dental school used federal student loans.
3. Seventy-six percent of 2025 dental school graduates with debt took out federal direct Grad PLUS loans, while 13% used Health Professions Student Loans.
4. Seventeen percent of dental school costs are financed by friends or family.
5. Grants and scholarships cover 12% of the average dental school cost to students.
6. Four percent of dental school costs are covered using students’ personal savings.
7. Two percent of dental school financing comes from students’ personal income and other sources.
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