3 accredited schools across the Albuquerque metro area trained 97 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.
64 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college, the most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,558 for a program of about 8 months.
21 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college, the 2nd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $1,584 ($8,016 out of state).
Private for-profit two-year college in Albuquerque that reported 12 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 5th-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $20,130 for a program of about 8 months.
3 accredited schools in the Albuquerque, NM metro area graduated 97 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque with 64.
Among schools that published a program price, Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque in Albuquerque listed the lowest total: $18,558 for tuition, books and supplies.
Dental Assistants in the Albuquerque, NM metro earn a median $44,810 a year ($21.54/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $44,400 statewide and $48,070 nationally.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.