by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Carl Sandburg College the best value for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist in the Great Lakes Region. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. 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.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $58,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,817. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $52,947. That is a strong return on a $9,817 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. 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.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,709 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $54,031. That is a strong return on a $12,709 median debt.
Lansing Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,136. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $49,832. Set against $14,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,400. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $49,218. That is a strong return on a $12,400 median debt.
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Illinois Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College placed #9 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $19,346 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $53,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College landed the #10 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $46,032 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College landed the #11 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Delta College earned the #12 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $17,800. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Delta College earn a median of $36,828 early in their careers. Set against $17,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College landed the #13 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College placed #14 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $15,747. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $47,358. That is a strong return on a $15,747 median debt.
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College Of Lake County ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $63,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage landed the #16 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,871. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $59,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #17 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,963. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $56,767. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kellogg Community College placed #18 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,112 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,820 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #20 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,611 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $36,371 early in their careers. Set against $12,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #21 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $57,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
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Stark State College came in at #22 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,157 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $31,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,157 median debt.
Mott Community College earned the #23 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $40,544 early in their careers. Set against $25,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College placed #24 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College came in at #25 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $59,574. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
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These schools also delivered strong value for dental hygiene/hygienist this year:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.