Columbia (CDM)
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Columbia University
School Information
Mission Statement
To engage in high-quality education, patient care, research and service that improves the oral health of the diverse communities we serve.
Combined Degree Programs
- DDS/MPH
Offered in partnership with the Mailman School of Public Health; allows students to specialize in areas like epidemiology or health administration.
- DDS/MBA
Offered in partnership with the Columbia Business School for students interested in healthcare management and business leadership.
- DDS/MA
Master of Arts in Science and Dental Education offered with Teachers College, designed for those pursuing careers in dental education.
- DDS/PhD
The D-BEST (Dental-Biomedical Engineering Scholars Training) program offered with the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.
International Student Programs
Other Paths:
- Advanced Standing Program for Internationally Trained Dentists (ASP) - A 30-month (2.5 year) program that allows international dentists to earn a DDS degree and enter the curriculum at the D3 level.
- AEGD for International Applicants - A 12-month certificate program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry specifically for internationally trained dentists.
Degree Requirements
Coursework Requirements
| Subject | Credits (Sem) | Lab Required | Min Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| biology | 8 | Yes | - |
| general chem | 8 | Yes | - |
| organic chem | 8 | Yes | - |
| physics | 8 | Yes | - |
| english | 6 | Unknown | - |
| biochem | - | No | - |
Credit Policies
Experience Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Required Types:
- science professor (3)
Test Requirements
Application Logistics
Admissions Cycle
2024-2025
Mean Age
22
Class Size
84
GPA Statistics
Cumulative GPA
3.82
Science GPA
3.79
DAT Scores
Primary Scores
Academic Average
25.7
Total Science
26.0
PAT
22.6
Entering Class Percentile Ranges
Reported 5th, median, and 95th percentile values for the entering class. Missing points were not reported.
DAT Academic Average
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 24
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 28
Lower
Median
Upper
Cumulative GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.53
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Science GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.45
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Applicants & Enrollees
| Category | Applicants | Enrollees | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 1,895 | 84 | 4.4% |
| in state | 347 | 15 | 4.3% |
| out of_state | 1,361 | 62 | 4.6% |
| international | 187 | 7 | 3.7% |
Class Composition
Out-of-State Enrollee Origins
Home states represented by enrolled students from outside the school's local state.
62 students reported
Academic Year
2026-2027
Tuition & Fees (Program Total, In-State)
$448,311
Cost by Program Year
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $105,048 | $105,048 | $6,781 |
| D2 | $105,048 | $105,048 | $6,676 |
| D3 | $105,048 | $105,048 | $6,381 |
| D4 | $105,048 | $105,048 | $8,281 |
| Total (4 Years) | $420,192 | $420,192 | $28,119 |
Research Opportunities
Research Themes:
Clinical Experiences
Columbia features a unique integrated curriculum where dental students spend their first two years studying basic sciences alongside medical students from the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Clinical Rotations:
- Community Outreach Washington Heights - Students provide care to underserved local populations through community-based initiatives.
- Global Health Initiatives - Opportunities for clinical and educational exchange in countries such as Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Kenya.
- Center for Precision Dental Medicine - High-tech clinical environment where students utilize advanced digital dentistry and data collection tools.
Postdoctoral Programs
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
- General Practice Residency (GPR)
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/MD
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Graduate Programs
- Master of Science in Oral Sciences
- PhD in Biomedical Engineering