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

6 Colleges in the United States
3,808 Dental Assisting/Assistant Degrees Awarded
$34,070 Avg Early-Career Salary

Dental Assisting/Assistant is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 87 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for dental assisting/assistant students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Dental Assisting/Assistant in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall dental assisting/assistant education in California.

Top Schools in Dental Assisting/Assistant

1

Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in dental assisting/assistant. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 17 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Santa Rosa Junior College

2

Carrington College California Pleasant Hill came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 38 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Carrington College California Pleasant Hill in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Carrington College California Pleasant Hill earn a median of $28,060 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,151. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Carrington College California Pleasant Hill

3
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Students looking for a strong dental assisting/assistant program will find one at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Cerritos College awarded about 35 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $34,175. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Cerritos College

4

Carrington College California San Leandro came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of San Leandro, Carrington College California San Leandro is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 60 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College California San Leandro in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Carrington College California San Leandro earn around $28,060 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,151 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Carrington College California San Leandro

5

Carrington College California Stockton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. Carrington College California Stockton awarded about 60 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Carrington College California Stockton generally make around $28,060. Typical student debt for the program is $9,151. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Carrington College California Stockton

6

Carrington College California Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Carrington College California Sacramento is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Carrington College California Sacramento awarded about 161 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Carrington College California Sacramento earn around $49,301 in the first couple years of their career. Carrington College California Sacramento graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Carrington College California Sacramento

7

Fresno City College landed the #7 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. About 13 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Fresno City College

8
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College earned the #8 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 30 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Diablo Valley College

9
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 21 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Foothill College earn around $81,255 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,285 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Foothill College

10

Pasadena City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Pasadena City College awarded about 22 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Pasadena City College

11

Carrington College California San Jose ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of San Jose. About 137 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Carrington College California San Jose in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Carrington College California San Jose earn a median of $49,301 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,751. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Carrington College California San Jose

12
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College came in at #12 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. About 27 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Sacramento City College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Sacramento City College

13
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College placed #13 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oxnard. About 33 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Oxnard College

14
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. There were roughly 20 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for College Of San Mateo

15
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College landed the #15 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. About 20 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Cypress College in the most recent year. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Cypress College

16

San Joaquin Valley College Fresno landed the #16 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit institution. About 53 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Valley College Fresno in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Fresno generally make around $27,039. San Joaquin Valley College Fresno graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for San Joaquin Valley College Fresno

17
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College came in at #17 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. There were roughly 38 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Moreno Valley College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,643. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Moreno Valley College

18

San Diego Mesa College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego Mesa College graduates 92% of students within six years. About 32 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Diego Mesa College earn around $29,852 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for San Diego Mesa College

19

San Joaquin Valley College Visalia placed #19 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Visalia, San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a mid-sized private for-profit university. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia awarded about 63 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Joaquin Valley College Visalia earn around $47,478 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,750. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for San Joaquin Valley College Visalia

20

San Joaquin Valley College Temecula earned the #20 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit institution. About 38 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Valley College Temecula in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Joaquin Valley College Temecula earn around $27,039 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at San Joaquin Valley College Temecula

21

San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia earned the #21 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Hesperia, San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 41 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia earn around $27,039 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia

22

San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield came in at #22 for dental assisting/assistant this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Bakersfield. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield awarded about 30 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn around $27,039 in the first couple years of their career. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield

23
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College placed #23 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. There were roughly 20 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Palomar College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Palomar College

24
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College came in at #24 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. There were roughly 34 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Allan Hancock College

25
West Los Angeles College crest
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA

West Los Angeles College placed #25 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. There were roughly 146 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at West Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of West Los Angeles College earn a median of $65,978 early in their careers. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for West Los Angeles College

Rest of the Top 50 Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

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

26
27
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
28
29
College Of Alameda crest
College Of Alameda
Alameda, CA
30
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA
31
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
32
College Of Marin crest
College Of Marin
Kentfield, CA
33
Lake Tahoe Community College crest
Lake Tahoe Community College
South Lake Tahoe, CA
34
35
36
Unitek College crest
Unitek College
Fremont, CA
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Career Care Institute crest
Career Care Institute
Lancaster, CA
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 87 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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