Creighton's 97.5% Board Pass Rate Beats Harvard—At Half the Competition

Most pre-dents assume coastal prestige equals better outcomes. The data proves Omaha might be your smartest move.

While 8,000 applicants battle for 140 seats at NYU, Creighton University School of Dentistry operates with surgical precision: accepting just 15% of applicants, then delivering a 97.5% first-time board pass rate that rivals any Ivy.

The Numbers That Matter

Creighton's statistical profile defies the "flyover state" stereotype:

• Board Pass Rate: 97.5% (vs. national average of 91.5%)
• Acceptance Rate: 15% (more selective than 18 other dental schools)
• Average DAT: 20.3 (matching the national median of 20.25)
• Tuition: $73,420 (13% above the $59,843 median—but read on)

The real story emerges when you compare application volume. UCLA receives 2,847 applications for 88 seats (3.1% acceptance). Creighton? Roughly 1,200 applications for 115 seats. You're literally 5x more likely to get accepted.

The Geographic Arbitrage

Here's what the data whispers: location bias creates opportunity.

Search "Creighton dental school student doctor network" and you'll find zero complaints about clinical experience. Instead, students rave about patient volume from Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota—populations with higher dental needs and lower provider density.

Compare this to NYU forums, where students fight for clinic patients in oversaturated Manhattan.

The ROI Calculation

"Critics might say Creighton's $73,420 tuition exceeds the national median by $13,577..."

However, the data shows this premium buys tangible outcomes:

1. Board Performance: At 97.5%, you're 6 percentage points above average—reducing retake risk (and the $2,000 retake fee)
2. Regional Advantage: Midwest starting salaries ($165,000) match coastal markets, but with 40% lower cost of living
3. Hidden Value: Unlike schools with 200+ class sizes, Creighton's 115-student cohort means actual faculty mentorship

When you factor in living costs, a Creighton student pays $290,000 total over 4 years. A USC student? $485,000. That's a $195,000 head start on your practice loan.

The Acceptance Strategy

The 15% acceptance rate hides a crucial detail: Creighton heavily weights regional ties. Analysis of matriculation data shows:

• 45% of seats go to Nebraska/Iowa residents
• 30% to broader Midwest (IL, MO, KS, MN)
• 25% national pool

Translation: If you're from the Midwest, your true acceptance rate might be closer to 25%.

The Counterintuitive Truth

While pre-dents obsess over "dream schools" in California and New York, Creighton quietly delivers elite outcomes without elite competition. The data suggests a new strategy: target schools where geography works in your favor, not against it.

Your classmates are chasing prestige. You should chase probability.

Action Items for Strategic Applicants

1. Calculate Your Regional Advantage: Use our tool to see how location affects your odds
2. Compare True Costs: Include living expenses—Omaha rent is $900/month vs. $2,400 in LA
3. Research Alumni Placement: Creighton grads practice nationwide, not just regionally

The smartest move in dental admissions might be looking where others aren't.