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2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in Virginia

1 Colleges in the United States
$12,968 Avg Student Debt
$37,097 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Badge [Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental assisting/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

1

Wytheville Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools in Virginia. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $55,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. 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.

3
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at Germanna Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.

4

Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.

5

Danville Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $9,494. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $28,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,494 median debt.

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6

Northern Virginia Community College placed #6 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,894 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $70,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,894 median debt.

7
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University landed the #7 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,484 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,000. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Ecpi University earn a median of $28,544 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

8

Fortis College Richmond came in at #8 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, Fortis College Richmond is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,688 in tuition and fees. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,358 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $22,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Centura College Norfolk landed the #9 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Centura College Norfolk is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,637 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Centura College Norfolk generally make around $24,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Fortis College Norfolk earned the #10 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Fortis College Norfolk is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $14,801 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,358. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $22,928. That is a strong return on a $11,358 median debt.

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Notes and References

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 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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