2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
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2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Laramie County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,613 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. Set against $11,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #3 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,357 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $39,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sheridan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, compared with $11,130 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $62,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #5 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $12,840 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $45,301 early in their careers. Set against $12,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver landed the #6 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $29,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $76,712. That is a strong return on a $29,472 median debt.
Great Falls College Montana State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,028 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,911. Median earnings reach $38,034 ten years out.
Weber State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $22,268 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $41,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College came in at #9 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pueblo Community College came in at #10 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,549. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $62,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming came in at #11 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $16,542 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Colorado Northwestern Community College placed #12 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. In-state tuition and fees average $4,594, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Students borrow a median of $16,784 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $62,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #13 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $12,450 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $51,816. Set against $12,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College Aurora placed #14 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Aurora, Concorde Career College Aurora is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $17,375. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Concorde Career College Aurora earn a median of $45,876 early in their careers. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University earned the #15 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,675 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $53,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fortis College Salt Lake City earned the #16 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Fortis College Salt Lake City is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,474. Students borrow a median of $28,611 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Fortis College Salt Lake City earn a median of $37,063 early in their careers. Set against $28,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
