2 accredited schools across the Richmond metro area trained 25 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 public two-year college in Henrico County graduated 15 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, the 5th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,881 ($10,179 out of state).
Private for-profit two-year college in Richmond that reported 10 Dental Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $14,800.
2 accredited schools in the Richmond, VA metro area graduated 25 Dental Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was J Sargeant Reynolds Community College with 15.
Dental Assistants in the Richmond, VA metro earn a median $47,760 a year ($22.96/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $46,670 statewide and $48,070 nationally.
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.