2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Ohio
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools.
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2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Ohio
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
Our analysis ranked Cuyahoga Community College District the best value for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,346 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $53,091. Set against $19,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $15,747 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $47,358. Set against $15,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #4 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,157. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $31,348. Set against $14,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #5 place 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, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Lakeland Community College landed the #6 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,200. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $48,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #7 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,010 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $54,584. That is a strong return on a $18,010 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,309. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $57,217. That is a strong return on a $19,309 median debt.
Owens Community College came in at #9 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $20,688. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $46,021. Set against $20,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University landed the #10 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,000. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $48,826. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Hocking College placed #11 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $10,290. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $16,535. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,535 median debt.
Shawnee State University came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $38,644. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $61,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
