2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the New England Region

1

Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, MA

For return on investment in dental assisting/assistant, no school beat Northern Essex Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

2

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at Middlesex Community College Bedford, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,100 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $55,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt.

3

Community College Of Rhode Island
Warwick, RI

Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,786 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $45,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA

Quinsigamond Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $66,252. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, MA

A rank of #5 makes Springfield Technical Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,372 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $56,883. That is a strong return on a $11,372 median debt.

6

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College landed the #6 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $12,059. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.

7

Mount Wachusett Community College
Gardner, MA

Mount Wachusett Community College placed #7 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,497. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $68,670 early in their careers. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

University Of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME

University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,739 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Southeastern Technical Institute
South Easton, MA

Southeastern Technical Institute landed the #9 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Southeastern Technical Institute is a small public school located in the suburb of South Easton. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $49,476. The acceptance rate is 71%.

10

Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford
Bridgeport, CT

Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford came in at #10 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Bridgeport, Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,856. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford earn a median of $28,549 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

American Institute West Hartford
West Hartford, CT

American Institute West Hartford earned the #11 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. American Institute West Hartford is a small private for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from American Institute West Hartford generally make around $25,355. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford
Hamden, CT

Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford earned the #12 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,870. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $28,583. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Nhti Concords Community College
Concord, NH

Nhti Concords Community College landed the #13 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Concord. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,682. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $54,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln
Lincoln, RI

Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln landed the #14 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Lincoln, Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,174. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Lincoln Technical Institute Lincoln earn a median of $30,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,174 median debt.