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Periodontist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a periodontist. Periodontists usually study dental assisting, advanced dentistry and oral sciences, or biology. 40% of periodontists hold a associate degree, and 23% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 414 real periodontist resumes to see exactly what periodontist education sections show.

The most common colleges for periodontists are the University of Southern California and the University of Southern California.

There are also many online periodontist courses to help get the education required to be a periodontist.

There are certain periodontist certifications that you should consider. These periodontist certifications include Dental Assistant (RDA) and Certified Dental Technician.

What education do you need to become a periodontist?

What degree do you need to be a periodontist?

The most common degree for periodontists is associate degree, with 40% of periodontists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 23% and bachelor's degree degree at 15%.
  • Associate, 40%
  • Bachelor's, 23%
  • Doctorate, 15%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 15%

What should I major in to become a periodontist?

You should major in dental assisting to become a periodontist. 40% of periodontists major in dental assisting. Other common majors for a periodontist include advanced dentistry and oral sciences and biology.

Most common colleges for periodontists

Periodontists often get their degrees at University of Southern California, University of Pittsburgh, and Texas A&M; University. Here are the most common colleges for periodontists in the US based on their resumes.
Periodontist common collegePercentages
University of Southern California22.73%
University of Pittsburgh6.82%
Texas A&M University6.82%
University of Florida4.55%
Miami Dade College4.55%

Best majors for periodontists

Best colleges for periodontists

The best colleges for periodontists are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A periodontist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for periodontists. 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 periodontists.

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. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

4. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,604

Enrollment

5,146

5. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$49,042

Enrollment

5,131

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

7. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

20 best online courses for periodontists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for periodontists

The most affordable schools for periodontists are SUNY Farmingdale, university of north carolina at chapel hill, and augusta university.

If the best universities for periodontists 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 periodontists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

3. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,604

Cost of attendance

20,618

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

5. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

6. Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$7,879

Cost of attendance

21,223

7. University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$8,178

Cost of attendance

20,934

8. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,283

Cost of attendance

22,243

9. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,465

Cost of attendance

20,704

10. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Cost of attendance

19,235

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for periodontists

The hardest universities for periodontists to get into are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for periodontists 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 periodontists 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

7. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for periodontists

The easiest schools for periodontists 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 a periodontist 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 periodontists.

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 Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,132

5. University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,163

6. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

7. University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,135

8. University of Oklahoma

Norman, OK • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,249

9. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,156

10. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

Average periodontist salary by education level

Periodontist education levelPeriodontist salary
Doctorate Degree$219,062

Periodontist 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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