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2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dental hygiene/hygienist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Leading the list is Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, our #1 best value for dental hygiene/hygienist in the United States. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $77,431. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Georgia Highlands College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Rome, Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $10,080. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Georgia Highlands College generally make around $56,814. Set against $15,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $17,285 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $81,255. Set against $17,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #4 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,000. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $57,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truckee Meadows Community College earned it the #5 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
West Los Angeles College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $65,978.
Columbia Basin College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,000. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $70,534. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $15,528. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $72,908. Set against $15,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Clark College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $23,429. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $64,500. That is a strong return on a $23,429 median debt.
Utah Valley University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,840. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $45,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,840 median debt.
Pueblo Community College earned the #21 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,549. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Kentucky University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $47,974. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Wyoming ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $16,542. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,557. Set against $16,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #24 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $60,188. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,431 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $54,207. That is a strong return on a $15,431 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
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:
Other Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value dental hygiene/hygienist schools at other degree levels: