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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region

6 Colleges in the United States
1,427 Dental Assisting/Assistant Degrees Awarded
$35,724 Avg Early-Career Salary

Dental Assisting/Assistant degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 101 schools to find the best for dental assisting/assistant students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Dental Assisting/Assistant in the Great Lakes Region

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

Leading the list is Elgin Community College, our #1 school for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 37 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Elgin Community College

2

Washtenaw Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Washtenaw Community College awarded about 31 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Washtenaw Community College earn around $37,428 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Washtenaw Community College

3

Gateway Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. About 12 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Gateway Technical College earn around $42,410 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,829. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Gateway Technical College

4

A rank of #4 makes Lakeshore Technical College one of the top schools for dental assisting/assistant. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Cleveland. There were roughly 20 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Lakeshore Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $28,022. 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

5

Fox Valley Technical College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Fox Valley Technical College

6

Sinclair Community College placed #6 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Sinclair Community College awarded about 18 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $53,091 in their early career. Sinclair Community College graduates carry a median of $19,346 in student loans. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Sinclair Community College

7

Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #7 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. There were roughly 26 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $56,841. Typical student debt for the program is $14,234. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Chippewa Valley Technical College

8

Madison Area Technical College placed #8 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. About 39 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $59,139. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Madison Area Technical College

9

Western Technical College La Cross ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 19 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Western Technical College La Cross in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $33,322 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,669. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Western Technical College La Cross

10

University Of Southern Indiana earned the #10 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern Indiana awarded about 23 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $61,972. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from University Of Southern Indiana

11

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #11 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. About 22 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $64,402 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,168 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

12

Waukesha County Technical College landed the #12 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Waukesha County Technical College awarded about 32 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $47,043. Waukesha County Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,200 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Waukesha County Technical College

13

Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 25 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $54,031 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,709 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Lewis And Clark Community College

14

Heartland Community College placed #14 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 27 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Heartland Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $48,710 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,266. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Heartland Community College

15
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College placed #15 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Ivy Tech Community College awarded about 127 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $36,371 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,611. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Ivy Tech Community College

16

Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #16 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 25 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $43,973 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,034 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Milwaukee Area Technical College

17

Blackhawk Technical College landed the #17 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. About 12 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Blackhawk Technical College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $27,831 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Blackhawk Technical College

18
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College placed #18 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of North Canton. Stark State College awarded about 37 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $31,348 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,157. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Stark State College

19

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #19 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. There were roughly 16 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $52,744 in the first couple years of their career. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

20
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College came in at #20 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Kaskaskia College awarded about 20 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $45,658 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,875. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Kaskaskia College

21

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #21 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. About 33 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $57,217 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,309 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College

22

Northcentral Technical College earned the #22 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Northcentral Technical College awarded about 10 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $48,083 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,462. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Northcentral Technical College

23
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College placed #23 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. About 15 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Prairie State College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Prairie State College graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Prairie State College

24

Grand Rapids Community College placed #24 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. There were roughly 28 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Grand Rapids Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Grand Rapids Community College earn around $45,543 in the first couple years of their career. Grand Rapids Community College graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Grand Rapids Community College

25
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Perrysburg. About 14 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Owens Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $46,021 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,688. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Owens Community 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
28
29
30
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL
31
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI
32
33
34
35
First Institute Inc crest
First Institute Inc
Crystal Lake, IL
36
Caris College crest
Caris College
Jeffersonville, IN
37
Auburn Career Center crest
Auburn Career Center
Concord Twp, OH
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Narrow Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools by State

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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 · 101 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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