Orthodontics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Orthodontics is a specialized field dedicated to the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of dental and facial irregularities. This advanced program equips students with the expertise to address complex issues related to tooth alignment, jaw development, and craniofacial structure, ensuring optimal oral function and aesthetic outcomes. Graduates are prepared to manage a wide range of conditions arising from genetic factors, developmental anomalies, trauma, and behavioral influences.
- Craniofacial growth and development: Explores the biological processes underlying the formation and maturation of the skull, face, and jaws during childhood and adolescence.
- Malocclusion: Focuses on the assessment and classification of abnormal tooth and jaw relationships, including overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
- Design and fabrication of orthodontic appliances: Teaches the creation and customization of braces, retainers, and other corrective devices tailored to individual patient needs.
- Craniofacial alignment: Addresses the integration of dental and skeletal structures to achieve balanced, functional, and harmonious facial proportions.
- Physiological function and analysis: Examines how occlusion and jaw mechanics affect chewing, speech, and overall oral health.
- Cephalometrics: Involves the use of radiographic imaging to analyze skeletal and dental relationships in three dimensions.
- Model analysis: Utilizes plaster or digital dental models to evaluate tooth size, arch form, and space availability.
- Space analysis: Assesses the available versus required space in the dental arch to guide orthodontic treatment decisions.
- Surgical orthodontics: Prepares students to coordinate orthodontic care with maxillofacial surgery for severe skeletal discrepancies.
- Cleft lip and palate: Covers the multidisciplinary management of congenital facial deformities, including orthodontic intervention in early and later stages.
- Treatment planning and management: Integrates diagnostic data into comprehensive, individualized care strategies with long-term monitoring and follow-up.
Orthodontics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Orthodontics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Orthodontics degrees, including Orthodontists and Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 234,870 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists 29-1023 | $239,200 | $98,560 - $239,200 | 5,150 | $115.00 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Orthodontics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $187,355 in Washington—a 290% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, North Carolina, and Texas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 234,870 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Orthodontics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 38 institutions offering Orthodontics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Orthodontics is found at Jacksonville University (JU) (32 graduates), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) (19 graduates), Columbia University in the City of New York (16 graduates), Seton Hill University (16 graduates), and University of Iowa (15 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 323 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
32 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
19 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
16 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Seton Hill University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
16 | Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Private | setonhill.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
15 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Post-Master's
|
15 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
14 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
14 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
12 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
10 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Roseman University of Health Sciences |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Henderson, Nevada | Private | roseman.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
9 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Master's
|
8 | Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Tufts University |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
7 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
6 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Post-Master's
|
6 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Master's
|
6 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Post-Master's
|
6 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Temple University |
Post-Master's
|
6 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Post-Master's
|
6 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Post-Master's
|
6 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Howard University (HU) |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | howard.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Post-Master's
|
5 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
5 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Marquette University |
Master's
|
5 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| A T Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) |
Master's
|
4 | Kirksville, Missouri | Private | atsu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OUHSC) |
Master's
|
4 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | ouhsc.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
4 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR‑MSC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
3 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | rcm.upr.edu |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science |
Master's
|
1 | Rochester, Minnesota | Private | college.mayo.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Orthodontics programs
How much can I earn with a Orthodontics degree?
Salaries for Orthodontics graduates vary by role and location. Orthodontists earn a median of $239,200 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $187,355 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 234,870 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Orthodontics programs?
Currently 38 accredited institutions offer Orthodontics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Jacksonville University (JU) (32 graduates), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) (19 graduates), and Columbia University in the City of New York (16 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Orthodontics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 210 in 2010 to 323 in 2023-24. This represents a 54% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Orthodontics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Orthodontists, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 234,870 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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