81 accredited California schools graduated 3,851 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Compare them by city below, with published costs, program length and what dental assistants earn in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
146 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public four-year institution, the 2nd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,196 ($10,088 out of state).
121 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college.
Private for-profit career school in Huntington Park that reported 119 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
107 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $20,543 for a program of about 10 months.
This private for-profit career school in Orange County graduated 84 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
83 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in Gardena that reported 82 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
This private for-profit career school in Los Angeles County graduated 72 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
65 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,976 for a program of about 10 months.
This private for-profit two-year college in Orange County graduated 63 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24.
This public two-year college in Los Angeles County graduated 35 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,288 ($11,928 out of state).
Public two-year college in Downey that reported 29 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $6,361 for a program of about 10 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in North Hollywood that reported 27 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $17,742 for a program of about 10 months.
This private for-profit two-year college in Los Angeles County graduated 23 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,491 for a program of about 9 months.
This public two-year college in Los Angeles County graduated 22 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($10,680 out of state).
21 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($9,888 out of state).
20 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public four-year institution. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($9,312 out of state).
This private for-profit two-year college in Los Angeles County graduated 20 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $13,500 for a program of about 9 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in Panorama City that reported 15 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,517 for a program of about 9 months.
This private for-profit career school in Los Angeles County graduated 13 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,491 for a program of about 9 months.
12 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college.
Public two-year college in Glendora that reported 12 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($9,744 out of state).
10 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public career school.
Private for-profit career school in Glendale that reported 8 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,733 for a program of about 9 months.
7 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,391 for a program of about 9 months.
5 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public career school.
This private for-profit two-year college in Los Angeles County graduated 4 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $16,420 for a program of about 11 months.
This private for-profit two-year college in San Bernardino County graduated 139 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, the 3rd-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,349 for a program of about 10 months.
131 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school, the 5th-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
This private for-profit career school in San Bernardino County graduated 93 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in Ontario that reported 75 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24.
Private for-profit two-year college in Hesperia that reported 41 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $23,557 for a program of about 11 months.
This public two-year college in Riverside County graduated 38 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,380 ($11,190 out of state).
38 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $23,557 for a program of about 11 months.
This private for-profit two-year college in Riverside County graduated 25 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,879 for a program of about 9 months.
Public two-year college in Rancho Cucamonga that reported 17 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($11,040 out of state).
14 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $15,862 for a program of about 11 months.
14 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public career school. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $17,501 for a program of about 10 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in Riverside that reported 6 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24.
This private for-profit four-year institution in Alameda County graduated 63 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $16,617 for a program of about 10 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in San Leandro that reported 60 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $23,604 for a program of about 8 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in Pleasant Hill that reported 38 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $23,604 for a program of about 8 months.
Public two-year college in Alameda that reported 32 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($8,472 out of state).
This public two-year college in Contra Costa County graduated 30 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,288 ($8,304 out of state).
This public two-year college in San Mateo County graduated 20 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,288 ($11,340 out of state).
19 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college.
16 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public career school. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $5,687 for a program of about 10 months.
Public two-year college in Kentfield that reported 16 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,380 ($9,750 out of state).
This public two-year college in San Francisco County graduated 13 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $0 ($12,960 out of state).
Private for-profit career school in Chula Vista that reported 130 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
106 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,862 for a program of about 10 months.
69 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
This private for-profit two-year college in San Diego County graduated 51 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,571 for a program of about 8 months.
43 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,571 for a program of about 8 months.
This public four-year institution in San Diego County graduated 32 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($9,048 out of state).
This public two-year college in San Diego County graduated 20 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,288 ($10,584 out of state).
This private for-profit four-year institution in Sacramento County graduated 161 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, the most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $23,604 for a program of about 8 months.
This private for-profit career school in Sacramento County graduated 99 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
Public two-year college in Sacramento that reported 27 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $0 ($11,520 out of state).
This public two-year college in El Dorado County graduated 14 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,116 ($11,052 out of state).
This private for-profit two-year college in Santa Clara County graduated 137 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, the 4th-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $23,604 for a program of about 8 months.
36 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,288 ($9,408 out of state).
22 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit four-year institution.
This public four-year institution in Santa Clara County graduated 21 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,395 ($12,150 out of state).
Private for-profit career school in Fresno that reported 108 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
This private for-profit two-year college in Fresno County graduated 53 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $23,557 for a program of about 11 months.
29 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,288 ($9,408 out of state).
This public four-year institution in Fresno County graduated 13 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,288 ($9,408 out of state).
Private for-profit career school in Stockton that reported 93 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in Stockton that reported 60 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $23,604 for a program of about 8 months.
Private for-profit career school in Bakersfield that reported 97 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
Private for-profit two-year college in Bakersfield that reported 30 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24.
Private for-profit four-year institution in Visalia that reported 63 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24.
Private for-profit career school in Visalia that reported 46 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $15,860 for a program of about 11 months.
34 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($8,952 out of state).
33 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,340 ($8,555 out of state).
Public two-year college in Eureka that reported 17 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($8,256 out of state).
Public two-year college in Santa Rosa that reported 17 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,242 ($9,234 out of state).
Public career school in Chico that reported 16 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $8,250 for a program of about 34 weeks.
Private for-profit career school in Modesto that reported 10 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $12,000 for a program of about 9 months.
1 Dental Assistant credential awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,104 ($9,840 out of state).
Rules differ by state. Confirm current California requirements with the relevant state board or registry before you enroll.
We list 81 accredited California schools that graduated Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, 32 of them public. Together they awarded 3,851 Dental Assistant credentials that year.
44 California schools published a program price. Tuition plus books and supplies ranged from $5,687 to $23,604, with a median of $19,736. Community colleges often charge by credit hour instead, so check each school’s net price calculator.
The median dental assistant in California earns $50,110 a year ($24.09 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025, versus $48,070 nationally. The top 10% earn $73,700 or more.
Carrington College-Sacramento in Sacramento reported the most Dental Assistant graduates in California: 161 in 2023–24.
Among California programs that reported a schedule, the median length is about 34 weeks of full-time study. CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.
DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is the main national certification; some states require DANB exams for specific duties.