Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Orthodontist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an orthodontist. Orthodontists usually study advanced dentistry and oral sciences, dentistry, or dental assisting. 29% of orthodontists hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 686 real orthodontist resumes to see exactly what orthodontist education sections show.
The most common colleges for orthodontists are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online orthodontist courses to help get the education required to be an orthodontist.
There are certain orthodontist certifications that you should consider. These orthodontist certifications include Certification in Orthodontics and Dental Assistant (RDA).
What education do you need to become an orthodontist?
What degree do you need to be an orthodontist?
- Bachelor's, 29%
- Doctorate, 22%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 13%
- Other Degrees, 23%
What should I major in to become an orthodontist?
- Dentistry, 15%
- Dental Assisting, 11%
- Biology, 7%
- Other Majors, 33%
Most common colleges for orthodontists
| Orthodontist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 11.48% |
| University of California - Los Angeles | 8.20% |
| University of California - Davis | 6.56% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 6.56% |
| Howard University | 6.56% |
Best majors for orthodontists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences | 33.7% |
| 2 | Dentistry | 14.9% |
| 3 | Dental Assisting | 10.6% |
| 4 | Biology | 7.5% |
| 5 | Business | 5.1% |
Best colleges for orthodontists
The best colleges for orthodontists are University of Southern California, Case Western Reserve University, and Boston University.
An orthodontist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for orthodontists. 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 orthodontists.
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 orthodontists
Advertising disclosure
1. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers
This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...
2. Introduction to Dental Medicine
The mouth is the window into human health. This course provides an overview of dental medicine to engage, educate, excite and assist you in improving the oral health of your patients and members of your community. We will review topics in dental medicine including scope of the field, what to expect in function, and some of the many ways that dysfunction may present for different patients. This will include discussions of mouth, jaw, and tooth anatomy, pathology, and treatment. We will talk...
3. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service
Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...
4. Brilliant Customer Service: How to Impress your Customers!
Enhance your customer support and truly differentiate yourself from your competition!...
5. Case Studies in Personalized Medicine
Learn how advances in biomedicine hold the potential to revolutionize drug development, drug treatments, and disease prevention: where are we now, and what does the future hold? This course will present short primers in genetics and mechanisms underlying variability in drug responses. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate principles of how genetics are being brought to bear on refining diagnoses and on personalizing treatment in rare and common diseases. The ethical and...
6. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...
7. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
8. Supply Chain: Planning of Resources & Detailed Scheduling
Master the essentials of the Manufacturing, Planning and Control Hierarchy and become a recognized Supply Chain Leader...
9. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First
Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...
10. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
11. IT service operations and Service Desk management
Improve Service Desk and IT support processes and service functions. Better preparation for the professional exam...
12. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service
Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...
13. Advanced Planning Baseline Schedule with Primavera P6 &Excel
Practical Case Study with Step by Step instructions. Work Smart NOT Hard...
14. Your Customer Service Toolbox: Best Practices for Beginners
Excel as a front-line customer service agent using problem-solving & relationship-building skills, etiquette, and more...
15. Start Improving Customer Service
Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...
16. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
17. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level
3-in-1 Customer Service Training: Levels 1, 2, 3 Improve Your Soft Communication Skills, Customer Support & Experience...
18. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...
19. Outstanding Customer Service - The Ultimate Guide!
Unlocking the Powerful Secrets of OUTSTANDING Customer Service - Transform Your Business!...
20. Customer Service Foundation
An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...
Top 10 most affordable universities for orthodontists
The most affordable schools for orthodontists are SUNY Farmingdale, clayton state university, and augusta university.
If the best universities for orthodontists 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 orthodontists.
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 orthodontists
The hardest universities for orthodontists to get into are University of Southern California, Case Western Reserve University, and Boston University.
Some great schools for orthodontists 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 orthodontists 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 orthodontists
The easiest schools for orthodontists 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 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 orthodontists.
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 salary by education level
| Orthodontist education level | Orthodontist salary |
|---|---|
| Doctorate Degree | $207,133 |
Orthodontist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for orthodontist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025