Why This Matters
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75% OF EMPLOYERS PREFER CANDIDATES WITH POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
According to O*NET, 75% of dental assistant roles require a post-secondary certificate or associate degree. Completing an online certificate in dental assistance makes you more appealing to employers.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES INCREASING 7% BY 2028
Improved understanding of the link between dental and overall health is increasing demand for dental services. Job opportunities for dental assistants are expected to grow faster than the average across all occupations, equating to roughly 23,400 new jobs by 2028.
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EARN AROUND $44,940 PER YEAR
The median annual salary for dental assistants is $41,180, and the top 10% could earn more than $58,390 per year. Completing an online certification program may increase your earning potential.
Our Research
Our list focuses on online programs that award a professional certificate in dental assisting or dental office administrative assisting. Many programs are online-only, while some courses also include a medical externship where you can practice your skills under supervision.
Many of the listed courses are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). CODA ensures the quality of dental education programs and drives continuous improvement. Other programs carry regional or national accreditation from independent bodies that verify their quality. Regionally accredited courses allow you to transfer credits more readily and are more commonly recognized.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Dental Assistance degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 52 hours to write this article
- 26 universities and colleges we assessed
- 41 education programs we compared
Best 13 Online Certificate in Dental Assistance Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Intelligent Score: 97.8In-state: $9,815
Out-of-state: $36,194
In-state: $9,786
Out-of-state: $9,786
SAT: 1120-1350
ACT: 24-31
Resident: $293.16 per credit
Non-Resident: $1,015.90 per credit
Online, On-Campus
Commission on Dental Accreditation.
30 credits
Monroe Community College
Intelligent Score: 96.85In-state: $21,194
Out-of-state: $21,194
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 1050-1260
ACT: 23-31
Resident: $196 per credit
Non-Resident: $392 per credit
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
15 credits
Hudson Valley Community College
Intelligent Score: 93.33In-state: $22,518
Out-of-state: $27,318
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $200 per credit
Non-Resident: $400 per credit
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
27 credits
Penn Foster College
Intelligent Score: 93.19In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$724 program cost
Online
International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training
9 courses
Rutgers University
Intelligent Score: 85.87In-state: $12,230
Out-of-state: $29,012
In-state: $17,736
Out-of-state: $17,736
SAT: 1180-1410
ACT: 25-32
$2,285 program cost
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
150 hours
Sinclair Community College
Intelligent Score: 83.85In-state: $15,526
Out-of-state: $19,273
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $173.28 per credit
Non-Resident: $329.40 per credit
Hybrid
Commission on Dental Accreditation
17 credits
Lake Area Technical College
Intelligent Score: 79.54In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$121 per credit
Hybrid
Commission on Dental Accreditation
44.5 credits
Ashworth College
Intelligent Score: 77.53In-state: $14,294
Out-of-state: $14,294
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
University of Georgia
Intelligent Score: 68.96In-state: $9,790
Out-of-state: $28,830
In-state: $8,878
Out-of-state: $8,878
SAT: 1250-1460
ACT: 29-33
$1,795 program cost
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
15 credits
University of Houston-Downtown
Intelligent Score: 67.39In-state: $8,449
Out-of-state: $20,665
In-state: $8,539
Out-of-state: $8,539
SAT: 1120-1310
ACT: 22-28
$1,199 program cost
Online, On-Campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
140 hours
North Carolina A&T State University
Intelligent Score: 66.77In-state: $3,540
Out-of-state: $17,050
In-state: $4,745
Out-of-state: $4,745
SAT: 960-1130
ACT: 17-22
$1,299 program cost
Online, On-Campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60 hours
Saint Louis Community College
Intelligent Score: 66.02In-state: $15,130
Out-of-state: $16,990
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: 18 or higher
Resident: $165.50 per credit
Non-Resident: $227.50 per credit
Online, On-Campus
American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
45 credits
Texarkana College
Intelligent Score: 65.99In-state: $18,772
Out-of-state: $20,188
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 480 or higher
ACT: 23 composite
$1,299 program cost
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
6 courses
What You Should Know About This Program
Most of the courses on our list are online certification programs in dental assistance, where you’ll learn how to perform and assist with dental procedures and provide administrative support. Alternatively, you can choose to study for a dental administrative assistant qualification.
Students looking for an online certificate in dental assistance program should select a course accredited by CODA or another national or regional accrediting body. The advantage of accredited courses is stricter quality control and wider recognition by employers.
The job outlook for qualified dental assistants is strong, with a projected job increase of 7% by 2028. This rapid growth reflects the growing understanding of the importance of good dental health for overall well-being.
Some states require dental assistants to complete an accredited training course and take a test before entering the workforce. Whatever the rules in your state, achieving certification can make you a more attractive job candidate.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online certificate in dental assistance programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online program? Most online dental assisting programs take around a year to complete. However, this timeframe can vary depending on whether you study part-time or full-time. Some programs allow you to study for a further year to earn an Associate of Science degree.
- Am I eligible for this program? Entry requirements for the courses on this list vary, and many providers require proof of a high school diploma or GED. Some also have an entrance test to check that you have the study skills necessary to cope with independent online learning.
When you’re shortlisting courses, make sure that you know when the application deadlines are and have all the necessary documents ready to submit. You can determine the requirements for each course by checking the institution’s website or emailing the admissions department.
You should also make sure that you have the means to finance your course. Take care to meet any financial aid application deadlines and research alternative funding sources such as employer benefits.