Dental education has some of the highest costs in all of higher education — $80K–$100K a year. Even with the Professional cap of $50,000, you’re looking at a $30K–$50K annual gap.
Even with the higher professional cap, dental students face a serious gap. Here's the breakdown.
DDS and DMD programs qualify as "professional" under 34 CFR § 668.2, so you get the $50,000 cap. But the median dental school costs $87,779, leaving a $37,779 gap per year.
Four years at $50,000 is $200,000, which maxes out the aggregate exactly. Any undergraduate debt you carry means you'll run out before graduation.
Already enrolled? You may get up to 3 years of grandfathering. Starting fall 2026 or later? The caps apply from day one.
| School | Annual COA | Federal Cap | Annual Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia (DDS) | $194,052 | $50,000 | −$144,052 |
| USC (DDS) | $166,820 | $50,000 | −$116,820 |
| NYU (DDS) | $160,420 | $50,000 | −$110,420 |
| IU Indianapolis (DDS) | $151,409 | $50,000 | −$101,409 |
| Tufts (DMD) | $147,832 | $50,000 | −$97,832 |
| Boston U (DMD) | $142,351 | $50,000 | −$92,351 |
| A.T. Still (DMD) | $141,518 | $50,000 | −$91,518 |
| Roseman (DMD) | $141,393 | $50,000 | −$91,393 |
Source: The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis: A Data Report. Full methodology →
Federal loans, institutional scholarships, NHSC service commitments, and private lending for dental students.
Read guide →DATALook up any DDS/DMD program: annual cost, federal cap, and the gap you'd need to cover.
Calculate yours →GUIDERates and terms from lenders serving dental students in the post-Grad PLUS market.
Read guide →TOOLPick your dental school, enter your aid, and see the four-year funding picture.
Calculate →Private lending options, aid changes, and policy updates for dental students.
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