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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

52 Colleges in the United States
13,830 Dental Assisting/Assistant Degrees Awarded
$36,829 Avg Early-Career Salary

Dental Assisting/Assistant is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 594 schools to find the best for dental assisting/assistant students.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Dental Assisting/Assistant School

Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

Where you study dental assisting/assistant matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Dental Assisting/Assistant School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Dental Assisting/Assistant Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Dental Assisting/Assistant
Bachelor's Degrees in Dental Assisting/Assistant
Master's Degrees in Dental Assisting/Assistant
Doctoral Degrees in Dental Assisting/Assistant

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for Dental Assisting/Assistant in the United States

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the dental assisting/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Dental Assisting/Assistant

1

No school ranked higher than Chemeketa Community College this year for dental assisting/assistant. This large public university is located in the suburb of Salem. There were roughly 30 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Chemeketa Community College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Chemeketa Community College earn a median of $33,802 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,755 to complete this degree. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Chemeketa Community College

2

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. About 17 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Santa Rosa Junior College

3

Linn State Technical College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 14 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Linn State Technical College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $32,797 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,042 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Linn State Technical College

4

A rank of #4 makes Elgin Community College one of the top schools for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Elgin Community College awarded about 37 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Elgin Community College

5

Students looking for a strong dental assisting/assistant program will find one at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. About 31 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Washtenaw Community College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $37,428 early in their careers. Washtenaw Community College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Washtenaw Community College

6

Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #6 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Georgia Northwestern Technical College awarded about 28 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn around $41,229 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,492. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Georgia Northwestern Technical College

7

Gateway Technical College earned the #7 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Gateway Technical College awarded about 12 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $42,410 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,829. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Gateway Technical College

8
Gwinnett Technical College crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA

Gwinnett Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Gwinnett Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. There were roughly 42 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Gwinnett Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Gwinnett Technical College generally make around $27,071. Students borrow a median of $18,048 to complete this degree. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Gwinnett Technical College

9

University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. About 64% of students finish within six years. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 16 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

10

Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. About 26 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Lake Area Technical Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $36,631. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Lake Area Technical Institute

11

Kapiolani Community College came in at #11 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Kapiolani Community College awarded about 12 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Kapiolani Community College graduates carry a median of $14,738 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Kapiolani Community College

12

Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #12 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 27 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College earn around $30,735 in the first couple years of their career. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $6,165 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Western Iowa Tech Community College

13

Lakeshore Technical College landed the #13 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 20 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Lakeshore Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $28,022 in their early career. Lakeshore Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Lakeshore Technical College

14

Pima Community College earned the #14 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Pima Community College awarded about 14 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Pima Community College earn around $44,284 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Pima Community College

15

Carrington College California Pleasant Hill earned the #15 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Carrington College California Pleasant Hill is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 38 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College California Pleasant Hill in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Carrington College California Pleasant Hill earn a median of $28,060 early in their careers. Carrington College California Pleasant Hill graduates carry a median of $9,151 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Carrington College California Pleasant Hill

16

Fox Valley Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 21 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,625. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Fox Valley Technical College

17

Southeast Community College Area landed the #17 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. About 27 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Southeast Community College Area in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $36,408 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,491. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Southeast Community College Area

18

Northern Essex Community College earned the #18 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 17 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Northern Essex Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Northern Essex Community College earn around $44,682 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Essex Community College graduates carry a median of $11,002 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Northern Essex Community College

19
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #19 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 35 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $34,175 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Cerritos College

20

Carrington College California San Leandro came in at #20 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Carrington College California San Leandro is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of San Leandro. About 60 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Carrington College California San Leandro in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $28,060 in their early career. Carrington College California San Leandro graduates carry a median of $9,151 in student loans. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Carrington College California San Leandro

21

Augusta Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 12 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Augusta Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $28,949 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Augusta Technical College

22

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. About 31 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $43,908 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Central Piedmont Community College

23

Palm Beach State College earned the #23 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lake Worth. About 14 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $63,723. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Palm Beach State College

24

Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 45 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Truckee Meadows Community College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,290. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Truckee Meadows Community College

25

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #25 for dental assisting/assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Calmar. There were roughly 17 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $28,585 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,625. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar

Rest of the Top 50 Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

These schools also placed among the best for dental assisting/assistant this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
38
39
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
40
41
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
42
43
44
45
46
47
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN
48
49
50

Additional Dental Assisting/Assistant Award Winners

These schools also stood out for dental assisting/assistant:

Rank School Location
#72 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
#74 Sacramento City College Sacramento, CA
#92 Century College White Bear Lake, MN
#150 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
#168 Rochester Community And Technical College Rochester, MN
#189 Herzing University Minneapolis St. Louis Park, MN

Honorable Mentions

A few more dental assisting/assistant schools worth a look:

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Dental Assisting/Assistant by Region

Explore the best dental assisting/assistant schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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View All Rankings >

Dental Assisting/Assistant is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 594 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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