4 accredited schools across the San Jose metro area trained 216 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 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).
4 accredited schools in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area graduated 216 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Carrington College-San Jose with 137.
Among schools that published a program price, Carrington College-San Jose in San Jose listed the lowest total: $23,604 for tuition, books and supplies.
Dental Assistants in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro earn a median $74,600 a year ($35.86/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.