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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region

11 Colleges in the United States
1,025 Dental Assisting/Assistant Degrees Awarded
$41,168 Avg Early-Career Salary

Dental Assisting/Assistant degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 40 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 the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall dental assisting/assistant education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Dental Assisting/Assistant

1

No school ranked higher than Linn State Technical College this year for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Linn State Technical College awarded about 14 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $32,797. Students borrow a median of $11,042 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Linn State Technical College

2

Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #2 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. Lake Area Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Lake Area Technical Institute

3

Western Iowa Tech Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in dental assisting/assistant, ranking #3. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Sioux City. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 27 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $30,735 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,165. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Western Iowa Tech Community College

4

Students looking for a strong dental assisting/assistant program will find one at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Southeast Community College Area awarded about 27 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $36,408. Students borrow a median of $8,491 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Southeast Community College Area

5

A rank of #5 makes Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar one of the top schools for dental assisting/assistant. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Calmar. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar awarded about 17 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $28,585. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar

6
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College placed #6 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. About 96 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Hennepin Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $47,901 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete this degree. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Hennepin Technical College

7

Salina Area Technical College came in at #7 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. About 17 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Salina Area Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Salina Area Technical College earn around $38,440 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,124. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Salina Area Technical College

8
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 28 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Central Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $53,860. Central Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Central Community College

9

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #9 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 21 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $43,635 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Des Moines Area Community College

10

Dakota County Technical College placed #10 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Rosemount. There were roughly 39 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Dakota County Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental assisting/assistant program make about $45,544 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Dakota County Technical College

11

Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Minneapolis Community And Technical College awarded about 53 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $35,725 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Minneapolis Community And Technical College

12

Western Dakota Technical Institute came in at #12 for dental assisting/assistant this year. This small public university is located in the city of Rapid City. Western Dakota Technical Institute awarded about 11 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Western Dakota Technical Institute earn around $32,951 in the first couple years of their career. Western Dakota Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Western Dakota Technical Institute

13
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College came in at #13 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. About 119 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Century College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,789. Century College graduates carry a median of $29,300 in student loans. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Century College

14

Southeast Technical Institute ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. Southeast Technical Institute awarded about 13 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $48,654 early in their careers. Southeast Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Southeast Technical Institute

15

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 15 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $34,237 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,545. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

16

Indian Hills Community College came in at #16 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. There were roughly 21 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Indian Hills Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $57,921. Typical student debt for the program is $12,251. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Indian Hills Community College

17

Central Lakes College Brainerd ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Central Lakes College Brainerd awarded about 38 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $40,329. Typical student debt for the program is $14,479. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Central Lakes College Brainerd

18

Flint Hills Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Emporia. About 13 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Flint Hills Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Flint Hills Technical College earn around $41,409 in the first couple years of their career. Flint Hills Technical College graduates carry a median of $15,498 in student loans. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Flint Hills Technical College

19

Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #19 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the city of Davenport. About 14 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Eastern Iowa Community College District in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,362. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Eastern Iowa Community College District

20

Iowa Western Community College came in at #20 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 19 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $64,917. Iowa Western Community College graduates carry a median of $26,481 in student loans. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Iowa Western Community College

21
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College landed the #21 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Kirkwood Community College awarded about 66 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $36,885. Typical student debt for the program is $14,978. See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Kirkwood Community College

22

Northwest Technical College came in at #22 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public university. Northwest Technical College awarded about 14 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Northwest Technical College earn around $36,203 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,053 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Northwest Technical College

23

Ozarks Technical Community College placed #23 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. About 27 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Ozarks Technical Community College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,855 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Ozarks Technical Community College

24

Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #24 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. About 24 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Rochester Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $46,805. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Rochester Community And Technical College

25

Hawkeye Community College landed the #25 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. About 15 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $32,834. Hawkeye Community College graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for Hawkeye Community College

Rest of the Top 34 Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN
31
Midwest Institute crest
Midwest Institute
Earth City, MO
32
Concorde Career Colleges crest
Concorde Career Colleges
Kansas City, MO
33
34

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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