2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 36 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Leading the list is Saint Louis Community College, our #1 best value for dental hygiene/hygienist in the The Plains States Region. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $60,906. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Central Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,000. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $53,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Salina Area Technical College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. Students from in state pay about $7,128 in tuition and fees. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,000. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $36,855. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Indian Hills Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,251. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $57,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #6 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,978 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $36,885. That is a strong return on a $14,978 median debt.
State Fair Community College earned the #7 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #8 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,500. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $59,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #9 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,362 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College placed #10 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $29,300 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,300 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $32,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,320 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $48,565. That is a strong return on a $15,320 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #13 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $43,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #14 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $25,592 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $45,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College placed #15 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Students borrow a median of $26,481 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $64,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #16 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $45,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #17 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $25,374 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $59,420. That is a strong return on a $25,374 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Central Lakes College Brainerd earned the #18 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,479 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $44,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College came in at #19 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $62,751. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #20 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #21 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $46,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University landed the #22 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $26,817 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $56,798. Set against $26,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Johnson County Community College placed #23 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $13,532. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $57,969. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Herzing University Minneapolis landed the #24 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of St. Louis Park, Herzing University Minneapolis is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $26,871 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Herzing University Minneapolis earn a median of $50,206 early in their careers. Set against $26,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Herzing University Minneapolis admits about 94% of applicants.
Flint Hills Technical College landed the #25 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,944 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $15,498. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $41,409. Set against $15,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 31 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. 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
