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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in New Mexico

3 Colleges in the United States
$17,160 Avg Student Debt
$37,822 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Badge [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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for dental hygiene/hygienist students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in New Mexico

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools

1
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in New Mexico. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.

3

University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $20,378 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $55,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque generally make around $39,835. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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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 · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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