2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Hostos Community College earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,400 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $59,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $15,527 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $55,457. Set against $15,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Camden County College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,922 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $47,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,922 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Burlington County College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $52,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $22,615 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $41,522. That is a strong return on a $22,615 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #7 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,038. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $62,255 early in their careers. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College earned the #8 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $18,737 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $41,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #9 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #10 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,515 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $52,151 early in their careers. Set against $16,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #11 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,562 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $59,975. Set against $10,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $64,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,152 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College landed the #13 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $8,190. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $60,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Farmingdale State College landed the #14 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $64,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Bergen Community College came in at #15 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, with out-of-state students paying around $9,294. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $22,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $62,663. Set against $22,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Broome Community College landed the #16 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Broome Community College generally make around $60,032. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
Baltimore City Community College landed the #17 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Students borrow a median of $11,202 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $51,023. That is a strong return on a $11,202 median debt.
Howard Community College placed #18 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,115. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #19 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $16,707 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allegany College Of Maryland came in at #20 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,823. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Allegany College Of Maryland earn a median of $51,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,823 median debt.
Luzerne County Community College landed the #21 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,750. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $41,650. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #22 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $50,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,690 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $52,497. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia landed the #24 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,926 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $34,849. Set against $18,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Plaza College earned the #25 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Plaza College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Forest Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $15,450. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,250. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 30%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dental hygiene/hygienist value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
