6 accredited schools across the Tampa metro area trained 175 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.
Private for-profit two-year college in Tampa that reported 85 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 2nd-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,665 for a program of about 8 months.
This private nonprofit two-year college in Pinellas County graduated 30 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24.
Public two-year college in Tampa that reported 24 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $4,318 for a program of about 13 months.
This private for-profit four-year institution in Hernando County graduated 16 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $13,500.
15 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public four-year institution. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,925 ($7,721 out of state).
5 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public career school.
6 accredited schools in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area graduated 175 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Concorde Career Institute-Tampa with 85.
Among schools that published a program price, Erwin Technical College in Tampa listed the lowest total: $4,318 for tuition, books and supplies.
Dental Assistants in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro earn a median $46,890 a year ($22.54/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $47,620 statewide and $48,070 nationally.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.