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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$14,788 Avg Student Debt
$37,574 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Badge [Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental assisting/assistant education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for dental assisting/assistant students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dental assisting/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

1
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College earned the #1 spot for value among dental assisting/assistant schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,922 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $47,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Monroe Community College earned it the #2 place for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $41,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,615 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Erie Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,737 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $41,077 early in their careers. Set against $18,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Westmoreland County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,000. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Hudson Valley Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,515. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $52,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Hagerstown Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $8,190. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Luzerne County Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,750. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $41,650. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #8 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $52,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.

9

Advantage Career Institute landed the #9 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Advantage Career Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Eatontown. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $4,856. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Advantage Career Institute generally make around $31,590.

10

Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center earned the #10 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $17,867 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center generally make around $47,891. That is a strong return on a $17,867 median debt.

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11
Manor College crest
Manor College
Jenkintown, PA

Manor College placed #11 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of Jenkintown, Manor College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Manor College generally make around $42,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

12

Lancaster County Career And Technology Center placed #12 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of Willow Street, Lancaster County Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $13,858 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Lancaster County Career And Technology Center earn a median of $48,126 early in their careers. Set against $13,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

New York School For Medical And Dental Assistants landed the #13 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, New York School For Medical And Dental Assistants is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $8,650 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $28,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Liverpool, Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces generally make around $26,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Westchester School For Dental Assistant came in at #15 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Ardsley, Westchester School For Dental Assistant is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $3,666. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Westchester School For Dental Assistant generally make around $24,390.

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16

Yti Career Institute York placed #16 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of York, Yti Career Institute York is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Yti Career Institute York generally make around $27,842. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

17

American Institute Somerset placed #17 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of Somerset, American Institute Somerset is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $25,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

American Institute Toms River earned the #18 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, American Institute Toms River is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,471. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of American Institute Toms River earn a median of $25,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.

19

American Institute Cherry Hill placed #19 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of Cherry Hill, American Institute Cherry Hill is a small private for-profit institution. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,471 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of American Institute Cherry Hill earn a median of $25,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

American Institute Clifton ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of CLIFTON, American Institute Clifton is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of American Institute Clifton earn a median of $25,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.

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21

Fortis Institute Lawrenceville placed #21 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Fortis Institute Lawrenceville is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Fortis Institute Lawrenceville earn a median of $25,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.

22

Great Lakes Institute Of Technology earned the #22 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Great Lakes Institute Of Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Erie. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Great Lakes Institute Of Technology generally make around $24,398. That is a strong return on a $10,690 median debt.

23

All State Career School Lester placed #23 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the suburb of Essington, All State Career School Lester is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,666. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of All State Career School Lester earn a median of $26,998 early in their careers. Set against $14,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

All State Career Baltimore came in at #24 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, All State Career Baltimore is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $13,140. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $19,835. Set against $13,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Fortis Institute Wayne came in at #25 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Fortis Institute Wayne is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $47,754. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for dental assisting/assistant this year:

26
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA
27
28
29
30
31
32

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 51 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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