Understanding the Cost of Attendance at Touro College of Dental Medicine

Pursuing a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree is a significant investment. For prospective students considering Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM), understanding the tuition costs, fees, and other associated expenses is crucial for financial planning. This article provides a detailed overview of the costs associated with attending Touro College of Dental Medicine, along with insights into financial aid, debt management, and related factors.

Dental School Admissions Overview

The path to dental school is competitive. In a recent year, over 11,759 applicants vied for a spot, marking a 7% increase from the previous year and reversing a prior downward trend. With 6,295 first-year enrollees, the highest number in almost 40 years, approximately 54% of applicants were accepted into dental school.

Across all dental schools, the average Dental Admission Test (DAT) score (Academic Average) was 20.8, and the average GPA (Overall Average) was 3.6. Schools like Columbia University and Harvard University had some of the highest average DAT and GPA scores, while Meharry Medical College and Howard University had some of the lowest.

The average dental school accepted only 13% of applicants, with Harvard University and Meharry Medical College having some of the lowest acceptance rates. Enrollment rates averaged 55%, with Harvard University and the University of Mississippi boasting the highest rates.

Touro's Dental School: GPA, DAT Scores, and Acceptance Rate

Touro College of Dental Medicine admits a diverse group of approximately 215 dental students annually. While the admissions process is competitive, understanding the school's specific requirements and statistics can help applicants gauge their competitiveness.

Read also: Touro College of Pharmacy Overview

GPA and DAT Scores

Touro's average overall GPA for accepted students is 3.59, and the average science GPA is 3.50. These averages are slightly lower than the national averages of 3.69 and 3.63, respectively. However, Touro's average DAT scores are higher than the national averages. The average Academic Average DAT score for accepted students at Touro is 21.4, with a 21.3 Total Science score and a 20.5 PAT score.

Touro does not have a minimum DAT score requirement. However, applicants must have an overall and science GPA above 2.7 for their application to be considered.

Required Prerequisites

Like many dental schools, Touro has specific prerequisite coursework and experience requirements that applicants must complete before enrolling. These include:

8 credits of General Biology
3 credits of Biochemistry
8 credits of General Chemistry
4 credits of Organic Chemistry
8 credits of Physics
6 credits of English/Writing intensive coursesAll prerequisites may be taken at a community college, and Touro does accept Advanced Placement (AP) credits. Laboratory components are required for all prerequisite courses except Biochemistry and the English/Writing intensive courses.

Applicants must also complete a total of 30 hours of dental shadowing.

In terms of recommendations, Touro requires a minimum of three letters: two from science professors and one from a dentist. A committee letter may be substituted for the science professor letters.

Read also: Affording Touro College

Before starting at Touro, students must undergo a criminal background check.

Acceptance Rate

Touro College of Dental Medicine received 2,630 applications in the past cycle. While Touro gives preference to in-state applicants, it also accepts a significant number of out-of-state and international applicants.

Tuition and Costs at Touro College of Dental Medicine

The cost of attendance is a major factor when considering dental school. Touro’s total cost of attendance is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Touro College of Dental Medicine tuition is $88,900 per year for all four years. In addition, students should budget approximately $40,000 per year for living expenses. These living expenses include books, room and board, transportation, personal, and loan fees.

The university may also charge General Fees, such as a Graduation Fee ($150), Returned Check Fee ($40), and Transcript Fee ($10).

Additional Expenses

Beyond tuition and fees, students should also consider the cost of mandatory fees, which include expenses like pre-clinic and clinical fees, instrument/sterilization fees, and the cost of books, supplies, and uniforms. These mandatory fees average $55,000 over four years.

Financial Aid and Debt

Loans and Debt

In a recent year, 83% of dental school students graduated with educational debt, which includes both undergraduate and dental school debt. The average educational debt for indebted graduates was $302,000. The average for Private schools ($355K) was significantly higher than Public schools ($261K).

The primary source of loans in Dental School are Federal Loans. Dental School students are able to take out Federal Loans that cover the entire Cost of Attendance (C.O.A.). The two main types of Federal Loans are Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans. Unsubsidized Loans have more favorable terms and are always maximized prior to taking out Graduate Plus Loans. The annual limit on Unsubsidized Loans is about $45,000 a year. The remainder can be borrowed each year from the less favorable Graduate Plus Loans.

The two main differences between these two loans are the origination fee and the interest rate. Unsubsidized Loans have an origination fee of 1.057%, while Graduate Plus Loans have an origination fee that is 4X higher (4.228%). The interest rates on Graduate Plus Loans are set to be 1% higher than Unsubsidized Loans.

Repayment

Many students will enter a repayment plan of between 5 and 20 years. Interest will continue to accumulate on those Federal Loans (6.54% for Unsubsidized Loans, 7.54% for Graduate Plus Loans). Many students will choose to refinance their Federal Loans with a private lender. Private lenders offer lower interest rates that can significantly lower monthly payments. When applying to refinance with a private lender, they often look at your debt-to-income ratio. For many new graduates with significant debt, it may take a few years for their income to reach a level where they are able to refinance with a private lender.

Dual Degree Programs: DDS and MPH

Touro also offers a unique opportunity to combine a DDS with a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. This dual degree program allows students to enhance their impact on public health by understanding public health principles and taking on leadership roles. The MPH program covers a range of topics, from local community outreach to global health initiatives, and allows students to tailor classes to their specific interests.

The MPH program is offered in two tracks: traditional and fast track. In the traditional track, students complete the DDS program first and then begin the MPH program in the summer immediately following graduation. In the fast track, students complete the DDS and MPH coursework simultaneously during their four years of dental school.

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