8 accredited schools across the Atlanta metro area trained 514 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 career school in Morrow that reported 165 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
108 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school, the 2nd-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $19,900 for a program of about 9 months.
Public two-year college in Atlanta that reported 70 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 3rd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $2,400 ($4,800 out of state).
Private for-profit two-year college in Smyrna that reported 54 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 4th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $14,676.
Public two-year college in Waco that reported 48 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 5th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $2,400 ($4,800 out of state).
42 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $2,400 ($4,800 out of state).
17 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $2,400 ($4,800 out of state).
10 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $2,400 ($4,800 out of state).
8 accredited schools in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area graduated 514 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was United Education Institute-Morrow with 165.
Among schools that published a program price, United Education Institute-Morrow in Morrow listed the lowest total: $19,900 for tuition, books and supplies.
Dental Assistants in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro earn a median $47,210 a year ($22.70/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $46,840 statewide and $48,070 nationally.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.