9 accredited Iowa schools graduated 208 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Compare them by city below, with published costs, program length and what dental assistants earn in Iowa.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
Public two-year college in Cedar Rapids that reported 66 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $5,880 ($7,868 out of state).
This public two-year college in Woodbury County graduated 27 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, the 2nd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,152 ($4,296 out of state).
Public two-year college in Ankeny that reported 21 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 3rd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $5,550 ($11,100 out of state).
Public two-year college in Ottumwa that reported 21 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 4th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,872 ($6,120 out of state).
Public two-year college in Council Bluffs that reported 19 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 5th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $6,270 ($6,420 out of state).
Public two-year college in Calmar that reported 17 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $5,850 ($6,720 out of state).
15 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $6,119 ($6,409 out of state).
This public two-year college in Scott County graduated 14 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,680 ($6,288 out of state).
8 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,680 ($5,184 out of state).
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We list 9 accredited Iowa schools that graduated Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, 9 of them public. Together they awarded 208 Dental Assistant credentials that year.
Most Iowa schools on this list are colleges that charge by the credit hour rather than a flat program price. Their median annual in-district tuition is $5,550; a short certificate typically costs a fraction of that.
The median dental assistant in Iowa earns $48,430 a year ($23.28 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025, versus $48,070 nationally. The top 10% earn $59,580 or more.
Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids reported the most Dental Assistant graduates in Iowa: 66 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.