13 accredited Illinois schools graduated 297 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Compare them by city below, with published costs, program length and what dental assistants earn in Illinois.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
Public two-year college in Elgin that reported 37 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 2nd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,168 ($9,504 out of state).
21 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school, the 5th-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $17,925 for a program of about 12 months.
15 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,444 ($10,332 out of state).
This private for-profit two-year college in Cook County graduated 12 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24.
10 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $20,800.
This private for-profit career school in Lake County graduated 4 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $1,750 for a program of about 5 months.
83 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school, the most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $16,700 for a program of about 9 months.
27 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college, the 3rd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,980 ($14,940 out of state).
Public two-year college in Godfrey that reported 25 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 4th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,000 ($12,000 out of state).
Public two-year college in Centralia that reported 20 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,080 ($11,850 out of state).
17 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,768 ($14,689 out of state).
16 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $16,249.
Public two-year college in Carterville that reported 10 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,350 ($7,260 out of state).
Rules differ by state. Confirm current Illinois requirements with the relevant state board or registry before you enroll.
We list 13 accredited Illinois schools that graduated Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, 7 of them public. Together they awarded 297 Dental Assistant credentials that year.
3 Illinois schools published a program price. Tuition plus books and supplies ranged from $1,750 to $17,925, with a median of $16,700. Community colleges often charge by credit hour instead, so check each school’s net price calculator.
The median dental assistant in Illinois earns $48,610 a year ($23.37 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025, versus $48,070 nationally. The top 10% earn $59,910 or more.
Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois in Springfield reported the most Dental Assistant graduates in Illinois: 83 in 2023–24.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.
DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is the main national certification; some states require DANB exams for specific duties.