2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

1

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among dental assisting/assistant schools in the United States. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

2

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $34,175. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #3 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $37,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #4 place for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,000. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $44,284. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #5 place for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #6 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $43,908. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, MA

Northern Essex Community College came in at #7 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,002. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $44,682. Set against $11,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College came in at #8 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

West Georgia Technical College
Waco, GA

West Georgia Technical College placed #9 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $39,272. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.

10

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #10 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

11

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College placed #11 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $27,816 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College landed the #12 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

13

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #13 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $59,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo landed the #14 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #15 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Kapiolani Community College
Honolulu, HI

Kapiolani Community College earned the #16 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Students borrow a median of $14,738 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $48,210. That is a strong return on a $14,738 median debt.

17

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College came in at #17 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $44,885. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College earned the #18 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $12,643. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Bates Technical College
Tacoma, WA

Bates Technical College placed #19 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.

20

Florence Darlington Technical College
Florence, SC

Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #20 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.

21

Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College earned the #21 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College came in at #22 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $35,336. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

23

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #23 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $12,709 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $54,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #24 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,131. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College earned the #25 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.