SC · FIPS 45 · South · State

South Carolina

72% stayed home, and residents fill 74% of South Carolina's seats.

413

students started dental school

#25 of 52 in the nation

69%

stayed in-state

285 students

128

left for another state

#28 most leavers

different schools attended

across 23 states

Destinations

Where South Carolina's students went

Matriculants from South Carolina by the state of their dental school, 2021–2025. Hover a state for the count.

South Carolina (stayed home)1–4 students5–19 students20–49 students50–199 students200+ studentsNone

Top 10 schools

The most common picks

In South CarolinaOut of state

Medical University of South CarolinaSC · Public
28569.0%
Augusta UniversityGA · Public
184.4%
Tufts UniversityMA · Private
81.9%
Howard UniversityDC · Private
71.7%
Meharry Medical CollegeTN · Private
71.7%
University of PennsylvaniaPA · Private
71.7%
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Public
71.7%
University of AlabamaAL · Public
61.5%
University of ColoradoCO · Public
61.5%
Lincoln Memorial UniversityTN · Private
51.2%

The story

What the numbers say

From 2021 to 2025, 413 students from South Carolina started dental school, 25th in the nation. 69% stayed in South Carolina, all of them at public schools.

The 128 who left went to 22 other states. The most popular out-of-state school was Augusta University (GA), with 18 students.

South Carolina's dental school enrolled 388 students over the same years, 74% of them residents. North Carolina (17) and Florida (9) sent the most outsiders.

Stayed in South Carolina for dental school69%

Went to an in-state public school69%

Seats at South Carolina's schools filled by residents74%

Inbound

Who else comes here

South Carolina's dental school enrolled 388 students; 74% were residents. Top out-of-state feeders:

Home schools

Dental schools in South Carolina

Medical University of South CarolinaPublic285 from SC

All 38 schools South Carolina students attended

School	State	Type	Students	Share
Medical University of South Carolina	SC	Public	285	69.0%
Augusta University	GA	Public	18	4.4%
Tufts University	MA	Private	8	1.9%
Howard University	DC	Private	7	1.7%
Meharry Medical College	TN	Private	7	1.7%
University of Pennsylvania	PA	Private	7	1.7%
Virginia Commonwealth University	VA	Public	7	1.7%
University of Alabama	AL	Public	6	1.5%
University of Colorado	CO	Public	6	1.5%
Lincoln Memorial University	TN	Private	5	1.2%
University of Louisville	KY	Public	5	1.2%
Boston University	MA	Private	4	1.0%
Columbia University	NY	Private	4	1.0%
Nova Southeastern University	FL	Private	4	1.0%
University of New England	ME	Private	4	1.0%
University of North Carolina	NC	Public	4	1.0%
High Point University	NC	Private	2	0.5%
Kansas City University	MO	Private	2	0.5%
LECOM College of Dental Medicine	FL	Private	2	0.5%
Midwestern University - AZ	AZ	Private	2	0.5%
Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health	MO	Private	2	0.5%
Roseman University of Health Sciences	UT	Private	2	0.5%
University at Buffalo	NY	Public	2	0.5%
University of Kentucky	KY	Public	2	0.5%
University of Pittsburgh	PA	Public	2	0.5%
West Virginia University	WV	Public	2	0.5%
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC	CA	Private	1	0.2%
Indiana University	IN	Public	1	0.2%
New York University	NY	Private	1	0.2%
Ponce Health Science University	PR	Private	1	0.2%
Stony Brook University	NY	Public	1	0.2%
Temple University	PA	Public	1	0.2%
Touro College of Dental Medicine	NY	Private	1	0.2%
University of California, Los Angeles	CA	Public	1	0.2%
University of California, San Francisco	CA	Public	1	0.2%
University of Maryland	MD	Public	1	0.2%
University of Texas at Houston	TX	Public	1	0.2%
University of the Pacific	CA	Private	1	0.2%

787

students started dental school

#25 of 52 in the nation

72%

stayed in-state

564 students

223

left for another state

#30 most leavers

different schools attended

across 28 states

Destinations

Where South Carolina's students went

Matriculants from South Carolina by the state of their dental school, 2016–2025. Hover a state for the count.

South Carolina (stayed home)1–4 students5–19 students20–49 students50–199 students200+ studentsNone

Top 10 schools

The most common picks

In South CarolinaOut of state

Medical University of South CarolinaSC · Public
56471.7%
Augusta UniversityGA · Public
334.2%
Tufts UniversityMA · Private
151.9%
University of PennsylvaniaPA · Private
131.7%
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Public
121.5%
University of LouisvilleKY · Public
101.3%
University of North CarolinaNC · Public
101.3%
Meharry Medical CollegeTN · Private
91.1%
University of AlabamaAL · Public
91.1%
Columbia UniversityNY · Private
81.0%

The story

What the numbers say

From 2016 to 2025, 787 students from South Carolina started dental school, 25th in the nation. 72% stayed in South Carolina, all of them at public schools.

The 223 who left went to 27 other states. The most popular out-of-state school was Augusta University (GA), with 33 students.

South Carolina's dental school enrolled 767 students over the same years, 74% of them residents. North Carolina (34) and Georgia (16) sent the most outsiders.

Stayed in South Carolina for dental school72%

Went to an in-state public school72%

Seats at South Carolina's schools filled by residents74%

Inbound

Who else comes here

South Carolina's dental school enrolled 767 students; 74% were residents. Top out-of-state feeders:

Home schools

Dental schools in South Carolina

Medical University of South CarolinaPublic564 from SC

All 47 schools South Carolina students attended

School	State	Type	Students	Share
Medical University of South Carolina	SC	Public	564	71.7%
Augusta University	GA	Public	33	4.2%
Tufts University	MA	Private	15	1.9%
University of Pennsylvania	PA	Private	13	1.7%
Virginia Commonwealth University	VA	Public	12	1.5%
University of Louisville	KY	Public	10	1.3%
University of North Carolina	NC	Public	10	1.3%
Meharry Medical College	TN	Private	9	1.1%
University of Alabama	AL	Public	9	1.1%
Columbia University	NY	Private	8	1.0%
Howard University	DC	Private	8	1.0%
Nova Southeastern University	FL	Private	7	0.9%
University of Colorado	CO	Public	6	0.8%
Boston University	MA	Private	5	0.6%
LECOM College of Dental Medicine	FL	Private	5	0.6%
Lincoln Memorial University	TN	Private	5	0.6%
Touro College of Dental Medicine	NY	Private	5	0.6%
University of New England	ME	Private	5	0.6%
West Virginia University	WV	Public	5	0.6%
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC	CA	Private	4	0.5%
New York University	NY	Private	4	0.5%
Roseman University of Health Sciences	UT	Private	4	0.5%
University of Kentucky	KY	Public	4	0.5%
University of Pittsburgh	PA	Public	4	0.5%
Temple University	PA	Public	3	0.4%
High Point University	NC	Private	2	0.3%
Kansas City University	MO	Private	2	0.3%
Midwestern University - AZ	AZ	Private	2	0.3%
Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health	MO	Private	2	0.3%
University at Buffalo	NY	Public	2	0.3%
University of California, San Francisco	CA	Public	2	0.3%
University of Iowa	IA	Public	2	0.3%
University of Tennessee	TN	Public	2	0.3%
Harvard University	MA	Private	1	0.1%
Indiana University	IN	Public	1	0.1%
Loma Linda University	CA	Private	1	0.1%
Ohio State University	OH	Public	1	0.1%
Oregon Health & Science University	OR	Public	1	0.1%
Ponce Health Science University	PR	Private	1	0.1%
Stony Brook University	NY	Public	1	0.1%
UT Health San Antonio	TX	Public	1	0.1%
University of California, Los Angeles	CA	Public	1	0.1%
University of Maryland	MD	Public	1	0.1%
University of Michigan	MI	Public	1	0.1%
University of Minnesota	MN	Public	1	0.1%
University of Texas at Houston	TX	Public	1	0.1%
University of the Pacific	CA	Private	1	0.1%

1,800

students started dental school

#26 of 52 in the nation

78%

stayed in-state

1,395 students

405

left for another state

#35 most leavers

different schools attended

across 32 states

Destinations

Where South Carolina's students went

Matriculants from South Carolina by the state of their dental school, 2000–2025. Hover a state for the count.

South Carolina (stayed home)1–4 students5–19 students20–49 students50–199 students200+ studentsNone

Top 10 schools

The most common picks

In South CarolinaOut of state

Medical University of South CarolinaSC · Public
1,39577.5%
Augusta UniversityGA · Public
422.3%
Meharry Medical CollegeTN · Private
321.8%
Howard UniversityDC · Private
311.7%
University of PennsylvaniaPA · Private
251.4%
University of LouisvilleKY · Public
221.2%
Tufts UniversityMA · Private
211.2%
University of North CarolinaNC · Public
160.9%
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Public
160.9%
Temple UniversityPA · Public
120.7%

The story

What the numbers say

From 2000 to 2025, 1,800 students from South Carolina started dental school, 26th in the nation. 78% stayed in South Carolina, all of them at public schools.

The 405 who left went to 31 other states. The most popular out-of-state school was Augusta University (GA), with 42 students.

South Carolina's dental school enrolled 1,754 students over the same years, 80% of them residents. North Carolina (49) and Georgia (34) sent the most outsiders.

Stayed in South Carolina for dental school78%

Went to an in-state public school78%

Seats at South Carolina's schools filled by residents80%

Inbound

Who else comes here

South Carolina's dental school enrolled 1,754 students; 80% were residents. Top out-of-state feeders:

Home schools

Dental schools in South Carolina

Medical University of South CarolinaPublic1,395 from SC

All 57 schools South Carolina students attended

School	State	Type	Students	Share
Medical University of South Carolina	SC	Public	1,395	77.5%
Augusta University	GA	Public	42	2.3%
Meharry Medical College	TN	Private	32	1.8%
Howard University	DC	Private	31	1.7%
University of Pennsylvania	PA	Private	25	1.4%
University of Louisville	KY	Public	22	1.2%
Tufts University	MA	Private	21	1.2%
University of North Carolina	NC	Public	16	0.9%
Virginia Commonwealth University	VA	Public	16	0.9%
Temple University	PA	Public	12	0.7%
University of Alabama	AL	Public	12	0.7%
LECOM College of Dental Medicine	FL	Private	10	0.6%
Nova Southeastern University	FL	Private	10	0.6%
Boston University	MA	Private	9	0.5%
New York University	NY	Private	9	0.5%
Columbia University	NY	Private	8	0.4%
University of Pittsburgh	PA	Public	8	0.4%
West Virginia University	WV	Public	8	0.4%
University of Kentucky	KY	Public	7	0.4%
Loma Linda University	CA	Private	6	0.3%
Ohio State University	OH	Public	6	0.3%
University of Colorado	CO	Public	6	0.3%
University of New England	ME	Private	6	0.3%
Harvard University	MA	Private	5	0.3%
Lincoln Memorial University	TN	Private	5	0.3%
Roseman University of Health Sciences	UT	Private	5	0.3%
Touro College of Dental Medicine	NY	Private	5	0.3%
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC	CA	Private	4	0.2%
Indiana University	IN	Public	4	0.2%
Midwestern University - AZ	AZ	Private	4	0.2%
University at Buffalo	NY	Public	4	0.2%
University of Maryland	MD	Public	4	0.2%
Western University of Health Sciences	CA	Private	4	0.2%
University of California, San Francisco	CA	Public	3	0.2%
University of Michigan	MI	Public	3	0.2%
Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health	AZ	Private	2	0.1%
Case Western Reserve University	OH	Private	2	0.1%
High Point University	NC	Private	2	0.1%
Kansas City University	MO	Private	2	0.1%
LSU Health Sciences Center	LA	Public	2	0.1%
Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health	MO	Private	2	0.1%
University of Detroit Mercy	MI	Private	2	0.1%
University of Florida	FL	Public	2	0.1%
University of Iowa	IA	Public	2	0.1%
University of Tennessee	TN	Public	2	0.1%
University of the Pacific	CA	Private	2	0.1%
Midwestern University - IL	IL	Private	1	0.1%
Oregon Health & Science University	OR	Public	1	0.1%
Ponce Health Science University	PR	Private	1	0.1%
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine	NJ	Public	1	0.1%
Stony Brook University	NY	Public	1	0.1%
Texas A&M University	TX	Public	1	0.1%
UT Health San Antonio	TX	Public	1	0.1%
University of California, Los Angeles	CA	Public	1	0.1%
University of Connecticut	CT	Public	1	0.1%
University of Minnesota	MN	Public	1	0.1%
University of Texas at Houston	TX	Public	1	0.1%

Staying home, 2000–2025

Are more South Carolina students staying in-state?

In the last five years, 69% of South Carolina's first-year dental students stayed in-state, down from 84% in 2000–2004. Nationally, 57% stayed home in 2025, down from 66% in 2000.

Share of first-year students who stayed in-state

South CarolinaU.S.

Dentist workforce, 2001–2025

Dentists working in South Carolina

2,509 dentists work in South Carolina: 45.0 per 100,000 people, below the U.S. rate of 60.0. That's #47 of 51 for dentists per person. The number of dentists is up 36% since 2001.

2,509dentists, 2025

45.0per 100,000 people (U.S. 60.0)

#47of 51 in dentists per person

1,850dentists in 2001 (45.5 per 100K)

Dentists per 100,000 people

South CarolinaU.S.

Dentists working in dentistry, counted where they work. *The ADA advises caution with 2023–2025 figures. Source: ADA.

Dentist migration, 2019–2024

Are dentists moving to South Carolina?

South Carolina gained a net 43 dentists from other states from 2019 to 2024 (+2.1% of its 2019 dentists), #14 of 51. The state's overall population changed by +7.1% from domestic migration (2020–2025).

All dentists+2.1%+43 net · #14 of 51245 moved in, 202 moved out

Early career (under 10 yrs)−1.5%−11 net · #29 of 51145 moved in, 156 moved out

10+ years in practice+4.2%+54 net · #4 of 51100 moved in, 46 moved out

Early-career specialists+10.9%+10 net · #13 of 5122 moved in, 12 moved out

Net dentists South Carolina gained from / lost to each state:+15 or more+5 to 14+1 to 4−1 to 4−5 to 14−15 or more

Came from

North Carolina45
Georgia18
New York14
Florida13
Illinois13

Moved to

North Carolina40
Georgia23
Florida20
Texas17
Tennessee11

Dentists active in both 2019 and 2024, so new graduates and retirees are not counted. Source: ADA.

What dentists earn in South Carolina →