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2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental assisting/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among dental assisting/assistant schools in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $53,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salina Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $8,491. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $36,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $6,165. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $30,735. Set against $6,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Indian Hills Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,251 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $57,921. Set against $12,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,855. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #7 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $7,625. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $28,585. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #8 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,978. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $36,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #9 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $9,362. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College landed the #10 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $29,300 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,789 early in their careers. Set against $29,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
[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.
