Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 364 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for dental hygiene/hygienist students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Dental Hygiene/Hygienist School
The school you choose for dental hygiene/hygienist can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Dental Hygiene/Hygienist School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Dental Hygiene/Hygienist in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the dental hygiene/hygienist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Santa Rosa Junior College the best school in the country for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 25 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Santa Rosa Junior College
Students looking for a strong dental hygiene/hygienist program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #2. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,394. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Texas A And M University College Station
A rank of #3 makes Loma Linda University one of the top schools for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Loma Linda University awarded about 33 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Loma Linda University earn around $67,159 in the first couple years of their career. Loma Linda University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Loma Linda University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 25 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Students looking for a strong dental hygiene/hygienist program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 28 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $54,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,431 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #6 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 38 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $61,173 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center landed the #7 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a mid-sized public university. University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center awarded about 46 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center generally make around $75,367. University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center graduates carry a median of $20,990 in student loans.
Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $64,936 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $23,829 in student loans.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
New York University came in at #9 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 63 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from New York University earn around $57,035 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete this degree.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for New York University
Pima Community College earned the #10 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. Pima Community College awarded about 29 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $44,284 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Pima Community College
Southwestern College Chula Vista placed #11 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chula Vista. About 30 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Southwestern College Chula Vista in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $67,733 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500.
Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Southwestern College Chula Vista
Fox Valley Technical College placed #12 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 13 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,625 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Fox Valley Technical College
College Of Lake County placed #13 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 22 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $63,080 in their early career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from College Of Lake County
Collin County Community College District placed #14 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Collin County Community College District awarded about 22 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Collin County Community College District earn around $42,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete this degree.
Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Collin County Community College District
Cerritos College came in at #15 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. About 21 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Cerritos College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Cerritos College earn around $34,175 in the first couple years of their career. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans.
Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Cerritos College
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #16 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 23 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $43,908 in their early career. Central Piedmont Community College graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans.
Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Central Piedmont Community College
Palm Beach State College earned the #17 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. About 24 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Palm Beach State College earn around $63,723 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Palm Beach State College
Old Dominion University earned the #18 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 79 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Old Dominion University earn around $63,145 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,378.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Old Dominion University
University Of The Pacific landed the #19 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at University Of The Pacific
Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. This large public university is located in the city of Reno. Truckee Meadows Community College awarded about 12 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Truckee Meadows Community College earn around $52,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,290.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Truckee Meadows Community College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #21 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. About 26 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Delaware Technical Community College Terry in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $59,975 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,562.
Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Delaware Technical Community College Terry
University Of New Haven came in at #22 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of West Haven. University Of New Haven graduates 63% of students within six years. About 59 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at University Of New Haven in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $59,086 in their early career. University Of New Haven graduates carry a median of $22,609 in student loans.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for University Of New Haven
Sinclair Community College earned the #23 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. There were roughly 82 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $53,091. Students borrow a median of $19,346 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Sinclair Community College
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston placed #24 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public university. About 30 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston generally make around $59,360. Typical student debt for the program is $23,475.
Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #25 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. College Of Southern Nevada awarded about 22 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $75,252 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,980.
Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for College Of Southern Nevada
Rest of the Top 50 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 364 schools evaluated.
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).
