by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for dental assisting/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental assisting/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in dental assisting/assistant, no school beat H Councill Trenholm State Technical College this year. H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $40,090. That is a strong return on a $11,769 median debt.
John C Calhoun State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tanner. In-state tuition and fees average $5,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,839 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $42,916. Set against $13,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes James H Faulkner State Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,326 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from James H Faulkner State Community College generally make around $52,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $34,837. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #6 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway is a small private for-profit institution. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway generally make around $22,821. Set against $12,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville came in at #8 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Huntsville. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville generally make around $23,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fortis College placed #9 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Fortis College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Mobile. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $12,330. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $22,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fortis Institute Birmingham placed #10 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Birmingham, Fortis Institute Birmingham is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,335. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $31,554. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.