[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 364 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
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Finding the Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist School for You
The dental hygiene/hygienist program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cerritos College, our #1 best value for dental hygiene/hygienist in the United States. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,306. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $34,175 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,000. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $44,284. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $7,234. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $43,908. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College landed the #6 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $24,734. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $60,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #7 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,191. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College earned the #8 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Carl Sandburg College placed #9 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,374 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $51,566. That is a strong return on a $10,374 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $59,330. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Moreno Valley College earned the #11 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,266. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $44,885. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
El Centro College earned the #13 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College earned the #14 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $7,230. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College came in at #15 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $46,690. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Lake Land College landed the #16 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $58,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #17 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College came in at #18 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College placed #20 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $35,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $12,709 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $54,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,709 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #22 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College earned the #23 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $9,817 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $52,947. That is a strong return on a $9,817 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #25 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $38,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,272 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dental hygiene/hygienist value ranking:
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Dental Hygiene/Hygienist. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 364 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 280 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.
