2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 102 schools to find the best return on investment for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
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2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
For return on investment in dental hygiene/hygienist, no school beat St Petersburg College this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $24,734 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $60,694 early in their careers. Set against $24,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Georgia Technical College earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,651. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,272. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $43,908. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,266. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $44,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $7,230. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,139. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $59,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College earned the #7 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Pensacola State College came in at #8 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $46,690 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #9 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College earned the #10 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $35,441. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College placed #12 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $54,550 early in their careers. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College came in at #13 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $35,336. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mississippi Delta Community College came in at #14 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540. Students borrow a median of $13,819 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College generally make around $42,854. Set against $13,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,500. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $37,626. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Wytheville Community College landed the #16 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,542. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $55,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College came in at #17 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $8,204. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $42,415. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #18 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $62,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Halifax Community College came in at #19 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,608, while out-of-state students pay about $8,752. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Halifax Community College earn a median of $70,982 early in their careers.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #20 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Students borrow a median of $15,516 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $48,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #21 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,172 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $52,297. That is a strong return on a $19,172 median debt.
Pearl River Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pearl River Community College generally make around $39,402. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Indian River State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College came in at #24 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $15,845. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $37,936. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #25 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for dental hygiene/hygienist this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 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.
