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Orthodontist assistant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an orthodontist assistant. Orthodontist assistants usually study dental assisting, business, or general studies. 26% of orthodontist assistants hold a high school diploma, and 26% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 956 real orthodontist assistant resumes to see exactly what orthodontist assistant education sections show.

The most common colleges for orthodontist assistants are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online orthodontist assistant courses to help get the education required to be an orthodontist assistant.

There are certain orthodontist assistant certifications that you should consider. These orthodontist assistant certifications include Dental Assistant (RDA) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

What education do you need to become an orthodontist assistant?

What degree do you need to be an orthodontist assistant?

The most common degree for orthodontist assistants is high school diploma, with 26% of orthodontist assistants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 26% and bachelor's degree degree at 21%.
  • High School Diploma, 26%
  • Bachelor's, 26%
  • Associate, 21%
  • Diploma, 12%
  • Other Degrees, 15%

What should I major in to become an orthodontist assistant?

You should major in dental assisting to become an orthodontist assistant. 29% of orthodontist assistants major in dental assisting. Other common majors for an orthodontist assistant include business and general studies.

Most common colleges for orthodontist assistants

Orthodontist assistants often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Youngstown State University, and San Joaquin Valley College. Here are the most common colleges for orthodontist assistants in the US based on their resumes.
Orthodontist assistant common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix13.33%
Youngstown State University6.67%
San Joaquin Valley College4.44%
Arizona State University4.44%
The University of Alabama4.44%

Best majors for orthodontist assistants

RankMajorPercentages
1Dental Assisting29.4%
2Business10.1%
3General Studies8.0%
4Biology7.1%
5Psychology5.9%

Best colleges for orthodontist assistants

The best colleges for orthodontist assistants are University of Southern California, Case Western Reserve University, and Boston University.

An orthodontist assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for orthodontist assistants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become orthodontist assistants.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

New Brunswick, NJ • Private

In-state tuition

$14,974

Enrollment

35,656

3. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,604

Enrollment

5,146

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

6. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$49,042

Enrollment

5,131

7. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

20 best online courses for orthodontist assistants

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Top 10 most affordable universities for orthodontist assistants

The most affordable schools for orthodontist assistants are SUNY Farmingdale, clayton state university, and augusta university.

If the best universities for orthodontist assistants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for orthodontist assistants.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

3. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,604

Cost of attendance

20,618

4. Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$7,879

Cost of attendance

21,223

5. University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$8,178

Cost of attendance

20,934

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

7. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

8. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,465

Cost of attendance

20,704

9. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$9,233

Cost of attendance

18,110

10. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for orthodontist assistants

The hardest universities for orthodontist assistants to get into are University of Southern California, Case Western Reserve University, and Boston University.

Some great schools for orthodontist assistants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for orthodontist assistants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

2. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,434

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

8. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,347

10. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for orthodontist assistants

The easiest schools for orthodontist assistants to get into are Augusta University, oregon institute of technology, and indiana university - purdue university indianapolis.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an orthodontist assistant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for orthodontist assistants.

1. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,172

2. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

3. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,111

4. University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,163

5. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

6. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,156

7. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

8. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,093

9. University of Oklahoma

Norman, OK • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,249

10. Creighton University

Omaha, NE • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,276

Average orthodontist assistant salary by education level

Orthodontist assistant education levelOrthodontist assistant salary
Doctorate Degree$110,693

Orthodontist assistant education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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