The Most Ridiculously Expensive Dental Schools Thread

[Panis et Circenses]

I wanted to start a thread to help people estimate the total cost of attendance dental schools (tuition, fees, living costs, and interest included). I have uploaded a excel file where you can easily estimate the cost of a school you are interested in. Feel free to add your calculations for a specific school in the comments, and I will add them to the master list.

Note: The total estimated cost here is the estimated amount of money you can expect to owe the day you graduate from dental school. You will end up having to pay more than the listed amount, because interest on the loan will accrue over time, once you have graduated.

Let's find the most ridiculously expensive dental schools!

I will be posting the grand total of each school as we go, so you can get an idea. These numbers are based on tuition listed in 2016. Please double check these numbers, as your costs of living estimate may be different than what has been used in these calculations.
NYU: $544,614.28
MUSC (OOS): $535,664.80
UPENN: $523,501.09
USC: $517,876.94
University of the Pacific: $503,370.66
(OOS) University of Washington: $501,638.58
Columbia: $497,438.60
Western University (CA): $494,434.67
(OOS) Oregon Health Science University: $486,323.52
(OOS) UNMC (Nebraska): $485,907.64
Midwestern University (IL): $475,965.09
Midwestern University (AZ): $474,847.96
(OOS) Minnesota: $472,916.82
AT Still Arizona ASDOH: $468,565.99
Tufts: $466,692.36
Boston University: $461,826.64
Creighton University: $453,609.14
Iowa (OOS): $447,122.06
Roseman University (Utah): $446,705
Harvard: $435,520.47
Nova (FL): $433,921.77
(OOS) Temple University: $428,271.10. (In-state = $397,898.50)
Detroit Mercy: $428,162.63
Case Western: $422,628.63
(IS) University of Illinois Chicago (UIC): $442,306.97
Louisville (OOS): $415,710.75
Pittsburgh (OOS): $397,005.04
MUSC (in-state): $382,154.80
Buffalo (OOS): $476,018.45, but can receive in-state after a year which becomes $374,003.81 total.
Iowa (OOS): $368,755.63
UCLA (In-State): $364,373.58
Marquette (OOS): $363,769.74
Iowa (IS): 335,275.38
Marquette (In-State): $323,612.52

For comparison, here are some schools on the CHEAPER side. (IS = In-state tuition)
UCONN (IS): $300,163.35
UNMC (Nebraska) (IS): $293,416.09
UTHSC-SA (IS): $256,856.27
UT-Houston (IS): $255,848.59
Alabama (IS): $246,682.71

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[Panis et Circenses]

I’ll start out. I recently interviewed at the University of Minnesota. I was absolutely shocked to find out how much it costed for out-of-state students after adding in the cost of living and the interest on loans. According to them here’s the cost:

D1: $71,898.74
D2: $94,478.96
D3: $97,084.43
D4: $98,953.93​

Adding the cost of living (assuming 1,000 per month or 12,000 per year), each year now costs:

D1: $83,898.74
D2: $106,478.96
D3: $109,084.43
D4: $110,953.93​

Now with the interest (at an assumed 6%) compounding annually, each year will cost:

D1: 105,920.23
D2: 126,818.15
D3: 122,567.27
D4: 117,611.17​

So the grand total, if you lived off $1,000 per month, will be $472,916.82.

Let’s say you get an associate job making 120,000 your first year out. After Uncle Sam comes along, you will have made around $82,000 after tax. If you lived off $1,500 per month (18,000 per year), that would leave you with $64,000 you could throw at loans. If you didn’t refinance your loan, just the interest alone on your original loan (6%) would be $28,375.01! This would mean you would only be able to pay $35,625 down on the principle of your loan!

 

[Incis0r]

let’s try to find the total cost of the most expensive schools by:
1. Adding up the cost of tuition and all of the fees
2. Assuming 6% interest, compounded annually
3. Assuming $1,000 per month to live on (you can change this to whatever you want)I know this won’t be exact, but it will give a good ball park estimate. If you know of a way to make the outcome more accurate, please comment.

NYU based on their website (assuming 6% average interest)

D1 cost- $121,240 total loans at end of D1.
D2 cost- $126,208. Total debt at end of D2= $126,208 + $121,240*1.06= $254,722.40 total loans at end of D2.
D3 cost- $127,870. Total debt at end of D3 = $127,870 + $126,208*1.06 + $121,240*1.06*1.06 = $397,875.74 total loans at end of D3.
D4 cost- $122,866. Total debt at end of D4 = $122,866 + $127,870*1.06 + $126,208*1.06*1.06 + $121,240*1.06*1.06*1.06 = $544,614.28 total loans at end of D4.

Grand total for NYU assuming full loans, 6% simple interest accruing annually: $544,614.28

 

[Panis et Circenses]

NYU based on their website (assuming 6% average interest)

D1 cost- $121,240 total loans at end of D1.
D2 cost- $126,208. Total debt at end of D2= $126,208 + $121,240*1.06= $254,722.40 total loans at end of D2.
D3 cost- $127,870. Total debt at end of D3 = $127,870 + $126,208*1.06 + $121,240*1.06*1.06 = $397,875.74 total loans at end of D3.
D4 cost- $122,866. Total debt at end of D4 = $122,866 + $127,870*1.06 + $126,208*1.06*1.06 + $121,240*1.06*1.06*1.06 = $544,614.28 total loans at end of D4.

Grand total for NYU assuming full loans, 6% simple interest accruing annually: $544,614.28

 

[Incis0r]

USC based on their website (assuming 6% average interest)


D1 cost- $134,658 total loans at end of D1.
D2 cost- $126,308. Total debt at end of D2= $126,308 + $134,658*1.06= $269,045.48 total loans at end of D2.
D3 cost- $123,074. Total debt at end of D3 = $123,074 + $126,308*1.06 + $134,658*1.06*1.06 = $408,262.20 total loans at end of D3.
D4 cost- $85,119. Total debt at end of D4 = $85,119 + $123,074*1.06 + $126,308*1.06*1.06 + $134,658*1.06*1.06*1.06 = $517,876.94 total loans at end of D4.

Grand total for USC assuming full loans, 6% simple interest accruing annually: $517,876.94

 

[mamba24]

I appreciate this thread!

 

[mamba24]

USC based on their website (assuming 6% average interest)


D1 cost- $134,658 total loans at end of D1.
D2 cost- $126,308. Total debt at end of D2= $126,308 + $134,658*1.06= $269,045.48 total loans at end of D2.
D3 cost- $123,074. Total debt at end of D3 = $123,074 + $126,308*1.06 + $134,658*1.06*1.06 = $408,262.20 total loans at end of D3.
D4 cost- $85,119. Total debt at end of D4 = $85,119 + $123,074*1.06 + $126,308*1.06*1.06 + $134,658*1.06*1.06*1.06 = $544,614.28 total loans at end of D4.

Grand total for USC assuming full loans, 6% simple interest accruing annually: $517,876.94

So USC is 544k or 517k?

 

[Incis0r]

So USC is 544k or 517k?

517K. I was copying the NYU template to keep formatting and procedures consistent and forgot to change that number. The Grand Total at the bottom of 517K is correct for USC.

Thank you for pointing out the error- it's been corrected

 

[Panis et Circenses]

University of Detroit Mercy
D1: $83,214.00
D2: $82,548.00
D3: $77,758.00
D4: $77,148

Adding the cost of living (assuming 1,000 per month or 12,000 per year), each year now costs:
D1: $95,214
D2: $94,548
D3: $89,758
D4: $89,148

Now with the interest (at an assumed 6%) compounding annually, each year will cost:
D1: 120,205.48
D2: 112,608.18
D3: 100,852.09
D4: 94,496.88

So the grand total, if you lived off $1,000 per month, will be $428,162.63

 

[Panis et Circenses]

Case Western Reserve University

Fees + Tuition + $1,000 per month (to live on) gives the following totals:
D1: $84,070.53 + 12,000 = $96,070.53
D2: $79,009.43 +12,000 = $91,009.43
D3: $75,574.22 + 12,000 = $87,574.22
D4: $77,197.85 + 12,000 = $89,197.85

After compounding 6% interest:
D1: 121,286.83
D2: 108,393.69
D3: 98,398.39
D4: 94,549.72

So the grand total, if you lived off $1,000 per month, will be $422,628.63

 

[Advance]

Case Western Reserve University

Fees + Tuition + $1,000 per month (to live on) gives the following totals:
D1: $84,070.53 + 12,000 = $96,070.53
D2: $79,009.43 +12,000 = $91,009.43
D3: $75,574.22 + 12,000 = $87,574.22
D4: $77,197.85 + 12,000 = $89,197.85

After compounding 6% interest:
D1: 121,286.83
D2: 108,393.69
D3: 98,398.39
D4: 94,549.72

So the grand total, if you lived off $1,000 per month, will be $422,628.63

1,000/mo to live on?

 

[Panis et Circenses]

1,000/mo to live on?

It's definitely possible. I've talked to dental students who live in dental fraternities that pay around $300 for rent. If you go cheap, $1,000 is definitely doable. I lived off $800 per month in my undergrad.

 

[Incis0r]

1,000/mo to live on?

In college right now. Living off of <$800/mo.
$1,000/mo is a luxury.

 

[Panis et Circenses]

In college right now. Living off of <$800/mo.
$1,000/mo is a luxury.

Exactly! Living off $1,000 is not hard at all. When I first started college (my first year), I was living off around $450-600 per month. As time went on, I made more, and eventually got up to $800 per month haha.

 

[Advance]

It's definitely possible. I've talked to dental students who live in pre-dental fraternities that pay around $300 for rent. If you go cheap, $1,000 is definitely doable. I lived off $800 per month in my undergrad.

300/mo? are they living in a cardboard box? Maybe Dallas is just expensive? None of my classmates that I've talked to spend less than 700/mo on rent for 2 bed 2 bath with a roommate. Most of them live a few mins away from the school right near the medical center.

In college right now. Living off of <$800/mo.
$1,000/mo is a luxury.

I spent about that much in undergrad as well, but my undergrad was in the middle of nowhere so living was cheap.

 

[NavyDDS1990]

These numbers really make me want to join the Navy even more. Thank you.

 

[BluntForceTrauma]

300/mo? are they living in a cardboard box?Maybe Dallas is just expensive? None of my classmates that I've talked to spend less than 700/mo on rent for 2 bed 2 bath with a roommate. Most of them live a few mins away from the school right near the medical center.

I spent about that much in undergrad as well, but my undergrad was in the middle of nowhere so living was cheap.

Heck, my *rent* in undergrad was around $800 but that's also because I am married.

I have a feeling my rent alone in D school is going to be in the $1200 neighborhood let alone food and family expenses.

Bring on the monayyyy

 

[Advance]

Heck, my *rent* in undergrad was around $800 but that's also because I am married.

I have a feeling my rent alone in D school is going to be in the $1200 neighborhood let alone food and family expenses.

Bring on the monayyyy

At my UG dorms were about 300/mo. When I was looking for places to live in Dallas I was shocked.Yeah... It's gonna be pretty pricey. But hey if you get in here at least you will save lots on tuition.

 

[Panis et Circenses]

These numbers really make me want to join the Navy even more. Thank you.

It's a good way to go, unfortunately the military also has to make budget cuts as well. So there isn't a whole ton of these scholarships, I think there are something like 60 army HPSP scholarships, 30 navy HPSP scholarships, and 12 air forces HPSP scholarships (the last recruiter I talked to told me this, if someone has more exact numbers please mention). It's semi disheartening when there are about 100 students in each dental class. So there are few, there's definitely not enough for them to go to everyone who wants one.

 

[NavyDDS1990]

It's a good way to go, unfortunately the military also has to make budget cuts as well. So there isn't a whole ton of these scholarships, I think there are something like 60 army HPSP scholarships, 30 navy HPSP scholarships, and 12 air forces HPSP scholarships (the last recruiter I talked to told me this, if someone has more exact numbers please mention). It's semi disheartening when there are about 100 students in each dental class. So there are few, there's definitely not enough for them to go to everyone who wants one.

I thought Army gives out more than 100. According to this chart my recruiter showed me from last year's scholarships, I believe there were about 80 scholarships given out in total from Navy. I don't know about Air Force. @Incis0r ?

 

[Incis0r]

The info I have suggests:

<20 4-year Air Force (likely around 12-14)
61 4-year Navy HPSP Dental this year
>100 4-year Army

 

[Panis et Circenses]

The info I have suggests:

<20 4-year Air Force (likely around 12-14)
61 4-year Navy HPSP Dental this year
>100 4-year Army

You know, I think sometimes the recruiters can be clueless. The Army recruiter I talked to said there were only 60 for the army, and a different army recruiter I talked to said the army branch doesn't do a $20,000 sign-on bonus. I don't know what to believe! I think that often the recruiters don't even know! By the way, these were recruiters who deal specifically with HPSP that I talked to each time..

 

[Incis0r]

You know, I think sometimes the recruiters can be clueless. The Army recruiter I talked to said there were only 60 for the army, and a different army recruiter I talked to said the army branch doesn't do a $20,000 sign-on bonus. I don't know what to believe! I think that often the recruiters don't even know! By the way, these were recruiters who deal specifically with HPSP that I talked to each time..

Enough said.

 

[Panis et Circenses]

Alright! New school to add to the list! The 3-year University of the Pacific couldn't possibly be more expensive than a 4-year school could it?? Actually, YES, it is!

According to their website:
D1: $127,019
D2: $116,400
D3: $115,254

Pretty crazy huh? Well.... Rent in good ol' California adds up. The UoP estimates that it costs $29,371 a year to live on.

Adding up the cost of living and plus 6% interest, each year ends up costing the following:
D1: $186,268.95
D2: $163,793.91
D3: $153,307.80

For a grand total of $503,370.66
Wow, a 3-year school for over 500k...
Please people, think this decision through before taking the plunge...

 

[8_man]

UoW should be around 500K for oos'ers

 

[Incis0r]

Can someone pls do MWU-AZ?

 

[distressstudent]

lol if you're trying to do this for every school...
The easiest way is to make an excel sheet than trying to punch every number by hand

Something like

first semester =A1*A2*4
second semester = a1*a2*3.5
third semester = (A1*(1.05*1))*A2*3
etc

A1 = total cost of attendance/8
A2 = interest
1.05 = tuition hike

That way you can account for tuition increase too which I see that you guys havent calculated for.

And from speaking with my classmates, people are paying for rent ranging from as low as $300 to $1100 per month. All within the same mile radius. So variance is pretty high

It's a good way to go, unfortunately the military also has to make budget cuts as well. So there isn't a whole ton of these scholarships, I think there are something like 60 army HPSP scholarships, 30 navy HPSP scholarships, and 12 air forces HPSP scholarships (the last recruiter I talked to told me this, if someone has more exact numbers please mention). It's semi disheartening when there are about 100 students in each dental class. So there are few, there's definitely not enough for them to go to everyone who wants one.

For AF, yes and no. Those look like only 4 year hpsp numbers to me (so excluding three year and two year scholarships). The total number of scholarships is much higher than that though I am not sure how much higher. You can't really expect only 12 dentist to enter the air force every year, right?

My impression is that Navy has much higher numbers than that. There's also the HCSP that they also offer which isn't part of HPSP

 

[Panis et Circenses]

lol if you're trying to do this for every school...
The easiest way is to make an excel sheet than trying to punch every number by hand

Something like

first semester =A1*A2*4
second semester = a1*a2*3.5
third semester = (A1*(1.05*1))*A2*3
etc

A1 = total cost of attendance/8
A2 = interest
1.05 = tuition hike

That way you can account for tuition increase too which I see that you guys havent calculated for.

And from speaking with my classmates, people are paying for rent ranging from as low as $300 to $1100 per month. All within the same mile radius. So variance is pretty high

Yep, I've got a spreadsheet here, with some formulas programmed into it to make it easier
Although, I've done no calculation for the increase in tuition, so likely the numbers are actually higher than my calculations. Plus that interest really kind of takes you by surprise...

Let me guess the people paying $300 are in a fraternity? The people paying $1100 are probably in some nice two person apartment with their own bedroom and bathroom? I don't know I guess it depends on your city.

 

[Panis et Circenses]

Can someone pls do MWU-AZ?

Here we go sir.
If you calculate all fees, and add in 1,200 in living expense per month (I did a little digging for that number, seemed reasonable for the area).

Anyways here's pre-tax numbers:
D1: $101,213
D2: $98,728
D3: $102,944.4
D4: $107,371.62

Post tax (6% annual interest)
D1: $127,779.08
D2: $117,586.63
D3: $115,668.33
D4: $113,813.92

Grand Total: $474,847.96

You know what, I'm pretty sure this is the school that one guy went to whose wife called in to Dave Ramsey. They said they were in Arizona (I think), and they said it was a private school. They were also in $480,000 of debt. So yeah, I'm pretty sure that guy went to Midwestern. This school seems like a scam in all honesty.

 

[Panis et Circenses]

UoW should be around 500K for oos'ers

Good Call.
For in-state tuition, the total (after 6% interest on loans) is $371,319.41.

For out of state, according to living expenses predicted by them on their website, the total (after interest on loans) is:
D1: $136,463.66
D2: $113,483.5775
D3: $130,687.04
D4: $121,004.3

So, for out-of-state students, the total is $501,638.58

 

[Mascota]

I'll do you guys one better - here's an excel sheet I found on SDN sometime ago that not only calculates the interest on your loans during school, but also for the duration of your repayment - PLUS - takes your future income and subtracts taxes and student loan payments so you can see how much you're left to live with ever month. I'll just say, ready to live like school teacher for a really long time after dental school.....

 

[Panis et Circenses]

I'll do you guys one better - here's an excel sheet I found on SDN sometime ago that not only calculates the interest on your loans during school, but also for the duration of your repayment - PLUS - takes your future income and subtracts taxes and student loan payments so you can see how much you're left to live with ever month. I'll just say, ready to live like school teacher for a really long time after dental school.....

Yup. I've seen this document before. It's somewhat complicated, might take me a bit to learn how to use it completely haha.

Another school here: Oregon health Sciences University.

Total cost for in-state students (tuition, fees, interest at 6%, living expenses at $1894/mo, according to their website)
In state tuition (total): $364,680.7334

Total cost for out-of-state students per year (tuition, fees, interest at 6%, living expenses at $1894/mo, according to their website)
D1: $135,804.13
D2: $128,201.83
D3: $118,635.00
D4: $103,682.55
Total cost of attendance (OOS): $486,323.52

 

[Panis et Circenses]

Roseman University (Utah).

This is a private school. No in-state tuition.

Adding together all fees, tuition, and living costs at $1,200 per month, with 6% annual compounding interest, each year costs the following:
D1: $124,414.58
D2: $115,301.07
D3: $106,509.42
D4: $100,480.58

Grand Total: $446,705.64

 

[Grinz]

You know what, I'm pretty sure this is the school that one guy went to whose wife called in to Dave Ramsey. They said they were in Arizona (I think), and they said it was a private school. They were also in $480,000 of debt. So yeah, I'm pretty sure that guy went to Midwestern. This school seems like a scam in all honesty.

.

 

[Panis et Circenses]

Arizona has 2 private schools, so do not forgot about ASDOH. Their website budget for freshman year is $120K. I would do the math but I'm on my phone.

Wow, ok I wasn't sure if that one was public or private. I'll do that one as well.

Here's another one: Temple University.

In-state (Pennsylvania) tuition total, assuming living on 1,250 per month (conservative estimate), 6% compound interest, and including all fees: $397,898.50. Wow.

Out of state total per year, assuming living on 1,250 per month, 6% compound interest, and including all fees:
D1: $117,746.176
D2: $111,167.051
D3: $105,683.569
D4: $93,674.32

Total estimated cost for out-of-state students who live pretty frugally: $428,271.10

 

[fogorvostan]

This school seems like a scam in all honesty.

Curious. Why is MWU AZ a "scam" to you and none of the other private schools are?

 

[Panis et Circenses]

Ok, for AT Still Arizona School of Dentistry (ADSOH) here's what I found.

They listed the total cost of living at around 2,200 per month. If that is what you took out, the school would cost over $528,000 to attend.
However, I feel that's a little too much of a high living estimate. So, if you lived on 1,200 per month, here's how much the school would cost.

Thus we have the following costs per year (assuming 6% compound interest, living on 1,200 per month, and including all fees and tution):
D1: $134,131.87
D2: $124,870.88
D3: $108,486.95
D4: $101,076.30

Grand total: $468,565.99

 

[Panis et Circenses]

Curious. Why is MWU AZ a "scam" to you and none of the other private schools are?

I'm not trying to be offensive, I feel that all schools that charge that much are. That's kind of the point I'm trying to make. The degree they are giving isn't necessarily a scam, just the price they charge for it is a scam. If you could buy an iPhone in some place for 100 dollars, but in a different place it cost 3,000 dollars, wouldn't you feel scammed if you had to pay $3,000?

 

[Shifff based]

I politely and respectfully request the OOS cost of the University of Louisville, please.

Sent from my SM-G920V using SDN mobile

 

[super frank]

Wow, ok I wasn't sure if that one was public or private. I'll do that one as well.

Here's another one: Temple University.

In-state (Pennsylvania) tuition total, assuming living on 1,250 per month (conservative estimate), 6% compound interest, and including all fees: $397,898.50. Wow.

Out of state total per year, assuming living on 1,250 per month, 6% compound interest, and including all fees:
D1: $117,746.176
D2: $111,167.051
D3: $105,683.569
D4: $93,674.32

Total estimated cost for out-of-state students who live pretty frugally: $428,271.10

You can easily find apartments around Temple and in Manayunk for $500/mo.

 

[Incis0r]

This is a very informative thread.

 

[Panis et Circenses]

You can easily find apartments around Temple and in Manayunk for $500/mo.

Good to know. A quick Google search led me to believe it would be more expensive than that. Thanks.

 

[personalstatementsbyeric]

One for UPENN, Harvard, Columbia

 

[dyesht]

Alright! New school to add to the list! The 3-year University of the Pacific couldn't possibly be more expensive than a 4-year school could it?? Actually, YES, it is!

According to their website:
D1: $127,019
D2: $116,400
D3: $115,254

Pretty crazy huh? Well.... Rent in good ol' California adds up. The UoP estimates that it costs $29,371 a year to live on.

Adding up the cost of living and plus 6% interest, each year ends up costing the following:
D1: $186,268.95
D2: $163,793.91
D3: $153,307.80

For a grand total of $503,370.66
Wow, a 3-year school for over 500k...
Please people, think this decision through before taking the plunge...

I think people are quick to forget that you do get out a year earlier at this school, which is priceless if you think about your time. You have that extra year to get out and start working, not only decreasing the debt but also establishing your skills in the real world, picking up speed that can't be achieved in school.

 

[Incis0r]

One for UPENN, Harvard, Columbia

Someone's playing in the big leagues!

 

[Incis0r]

I think people are quick to forget that you do get out a year earlier at this school, which is priceless if you think about your time.

Agreed. I prefer to think of it as giving you an extra year of your highest earning potential. This can be a 200-300K difference in the long run!

 

[Mason91]

It's definitely possible. I've talked to dental students who live in dental fraternities that pay around $300 for rent. If you go cheap, $1,000 is definitely doable. I lived off $800 per month in my undergrad.

There are dental fraternities?

 

[Panis et Circenses]

There are dental fraternities?

Yes, I've talked to different students from different universities as I am interviewing, and I don't know if all schools have them, but lots do. Lots of dental students in a big house where they have pretty cheap rent. I believe there is a small fee to be a part of it though (like all fraternaties).

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

I ran across an orthodontist who went to UPenn for dental school and USC for residency and after practicing for 4 years still owed more than $750,000. Freaking ridiculous right there.

Big Hoss

 

[workofshart]

I ran across an orthodontist who went to UPenn for dental school and USC for residency and after practicing for 4 years still owed more than $750,000. Freaking ridiculous right there.

Big Hoss

Do ortho residencies not pay stipends? Is that only omfs? 750k is insane