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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dental hygiene/hygienist degrees they offer, see the list below.
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in Florida. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $60,694. That is a strong return on a $24,734 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pensacola State College earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $59,330. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Gulf Coast State College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Florida State College earned it the #5 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $42,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #6 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $62,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College placed #7 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Pasco Hernando Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Students borrow a median of $14,908 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Pasco Hernando Community College earn a median of $53,856 early in their careers. Set against $14,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College came in at #9 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $41,314. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Daytona State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $47,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College earned the #11 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,123. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $57,021. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Edison State College came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $13,356. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Tallahassee Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,026, while out-of-state students pay about $8,062. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $11,417 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $51,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,417 median debt.
Palm Beach State College placed #14 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $63,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
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Valencia College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,413. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $57,535. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Santa Fe College landed the #16 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Santa Fe College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $2,563 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,189. Students borrow a median of $14,875 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Santa Fe College earn a median of $56,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,875 median debt.
Broward College came in at #17 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $13,110. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota came in at #18 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a large public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,074, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota earn a median of $50,906 early in their careers. Set against $17,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career Institute Tampa came in at #19 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Concorde Career Institute Tampa is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,500. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $27,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Concorde Career Institute Miramar placed #20 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Miramar, Concorde Career Institute Miramar is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,500. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $32,143. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville placed #21 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $40,493. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville admits about 94% of applicants.
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Concorde Career Institute Orlando ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Orlando, Concorde Career Institute Orlando is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Concorde Career Institute Orlando generally make around $25,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.