4 accredited schools across the Sacramento metro area trained 301 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 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).
4 accredited schools in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area graduated 301 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Carrington College-Sacramento with 161.
Among schools that published a program price, UEI College-Sacramento in Sacramento listed the lowest total: $19,900 for tuition, books and supplies.
Dental Assistants in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro earn a median $58,580 a year ($28.16/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $50,110 statewide and $48,070 nationally.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.