2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region
[Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 164 schools to find the best return on investment for dental assisting/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Southeast 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
Georgia Northwestern Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools in the Southeast Region. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #2. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $43,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $39,272. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $19,139. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $59,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #5 place for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $44,885. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College earned the #6 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $7,230. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College came in at #7 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #8 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Wayne Community College placed #9 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #10 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #11 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #12 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $17,655. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Wilkes Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College earned the #14 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $54,550 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
York Technical College placed #15 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $25,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wytheville Community College earned the #16 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $9,542. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $55,931 early in their careers. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College placed #17 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $8,204. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College placed #18 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #19 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #20 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,142. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $62,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Students borrow a median of $15,516 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $48,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College landed the #22 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #24 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $17,619. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Pearl River Community College placed #25 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Pearl River Community College generally make around $39,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dental assisting/assistant value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 164 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
