Average GPA & DAT Scores for Dental Schools in the US (2026)

Average GPA & DAT Scores for Dental Schools in the US 

Below is a table of 66 U.S. dental schools that reported admissions data in the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) 2025-2026 Official Guide to Dental Schools, along with their:

• Acceptance rate data
• Academic Average (AA) DAT score
• Average Total Science (TS) DAT score
• Average Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) DAT score
• Average GPAs

Please note that while the ADEA and individual school websites may still display historical admissions data using the traditional 1-30 scale, the American Dental Association officially transitioned to a new 200-600 reporting scale as of March 2025.  We have converted the historical averages for each program based on the official ADA DAT Concordance tables. 

Reaching the high DAT scores that top schools require starts with consistent, targeted practice. Get started with free practice questions and answers here:

How to Interpret GPA and DAT Averages

Reported averages tell you what the entering class looked like, not what the minimum requirement was. Every number in our table above is the average score of students who enrolled, which means a meaningful portion of that class scored above it. Treat each school's reported average as the baseline you need to clear. Then aim higher.

Your GPA and DAT score simply function as a filter for admissions committees to review your application closer. Once you clear the acceptable score range, everything becomes fair game based on your unique qualities and experiences. In other words, your metrics open the door; the rest of your application, like your personal statement and extracurriculars, are what get you accepted.

Use score data to identify which schools your current GPA and DAT scores exceed, which ones you match, and which ones require you to improve before applying. The goal is to apply to schools where at least one of your metrics is above average and the other is within close range, not below. That gap analysis will help you build the most honest and strategic school list.

FAQs

Is It Possible to Get a 30 (600) on the DAT?

Yes, it is possible but exceptionally rare to get a 30 (600) on the DAT. The DAT Academic Average is calculated from eight scored sections, and achieving a perfect 30 (600) requires a perfect score across all of them. Scoring this high would require a strict study schedule involving extensive preparation and consistent practice.

What Is the Average DAT Score for Harvard Dental School?

Harvard School of Dental Medicine reports an average AA DAT score of 508 (24.9), an average PAT of 485 (22.5), and an average TS of 518 (24.9). These are the highest reported metrics of any dental school in the ADEA dataset. To be competitive at Harvard, target a 520 (26) AA or higher across all three sections.

What Is the Lowest DAT Score You Can Achieve and Get into Dental School?

You can achieve a score as low as 378 (17.4) and still have a reasonable chance of getting into dental school. The lowest reported average AA DAT score among all 66 ADEA-reported schools belongs to the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine at 378 (17.4), followed by Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry at 384 (17.7). These are class averages, not minimum cutoffs, meaning some accepted applicants scored below these numbers. However, most schools do not publish hard minimums. A safe floor to target across most programs is a 410 (19) AA.

What GPA and DAT Scores Do Top Dental Schools Require?

Top dental schools typically require a 500+ AA score and 3.8+ GPA. To be competitive at the most selective dental schools, target the following scores:

• Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: 540+ (27+) AA, 3.85+ GPA
• Harvard School of Dental Medicine: 520+ (26+) AA, 3.95+ GPA
• University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine: 510+ (25+) AA, 3.87+ GPA
• UC San Francisco School of Dentistry: 490+ (24+) AA, 3.75+ GPA
• UCLA School of Dentistry: 490+ (24+) AA, 3.90+ GPA

These targets sit above each school's reported class average, which is where you need to score to be considered a competitive applicant.

Do Dental Schools Have Minimum DAT Score Requirements?

Most dental schools do not publish a minimum DAT score requirement. Admissions decisions are holistic, meaning a score below a school's reported average does not result in automatic rejection. That said, most programs use DAT scores as an initial filter. Scoring significantly below a school's reported average reduces the likelihood that your application advances to a full review. Treat each school's reported average as the practical minimum and aim above it.

Can You Get into Dental School if Your DAT Score Is Below Its Average?

Yes, you can still get into dental school if your DAT score is below average, but your application needs to compensate in other areas. A below-average DAT score paired with a strong GPA, compelling personal statement, meaningful clinical experience, and strong letters of recommendation can still produce an acceptance, particularly at schools with higher acceptance rates or broader applicant pools. 

If your DAT score falls below your target school's average, consider retaking before applying rather than submitting a file where your metrics are working against you from the start.