4 accredited schools across the Portland metro area trained 147 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.
This private for-profit two-year college in Multnomah County graduated 60 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, the most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $18,587 for a program of about 8 months.
43 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 $20,130 for a program of about 8 months.
Public two-year college in Portland that reported 32 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 3rd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,608 ($9,648 out of state).
12 Dental Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $5,535 ($13,365 out of state).
4 accredited schools in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area graduated 147 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Concorde Career College-Portland with 60.
Among schools that published a program price, Concorde Career College-Portland in Portland listed the lowest total: $18,587 for tuition, books and supplies.
Dental Assistants in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro earn a median $59,890 a year ($28.79/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $59,490 statewide and $48,070 nationally.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.