2 accredited schools across the Washington metro area trained 86 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 Prince George's County graduated 72 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $15,228.
14 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $5,550 ($10,928 out of state).
2 accredited schools in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area graduated 86 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Fortis College-Landover with 72.
Dental Assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro earn a median $47,540 a year ($22.85/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $60,580 statewide and $48,070 nationally.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.