3 accredited schools across the Birmingham metro area trained 63 dental assistants in 2023–24. Here’s how they compare on cost, length and size, plus what the job pays locally.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
Sorted by number of 2023–24 graduates (IPEDS), a proxy for program size and stability.
This private for-profit two-year college in Jefferson County graduated 32 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, the 2nd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $14,539.
Public four-year institution in Birmingham that reported 16 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $8,832 ($21,864 out of state).
15 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,810 ($7,620 out of state).
3 accredited schools in the Birmingham, AL metro area graduated 63 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Fortis Institute-Birmingham with 32.
Dental Assistants in the Birmingham, AL metro earn a median $42,050 a year ($20.22/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $39,080 statewide and $48,070 nationally.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.