Dental Hygiene/Hygienist is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College tops our 2026 ranking of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 24 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 20 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.
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Fresno City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. About 25 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans.
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Pima Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. There were roughly 29 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Pima Community College earn around $62,481 in the first couple years of their career. Pima Community College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong dental hygiene/hygienist program will find one at Pasadena City College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 13 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $38,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191.
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New York University earned the #6 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 45 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. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans.
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Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. There were roughly 30 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern College Chula Vista in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Southwestern College Chula Vista earn around $67,733 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of New Haven came in at #8 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. There were roughly 34 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Haven in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $59,086. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #9 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. Truckee Meadows Community College awarded about 12 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Typical student debt for the program is $12,290.
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College Of Southern Nevada earned the #10 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. About 18 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent 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.
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College Of Lake County earned the #11 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. About 22 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from College Of Lake County earn around $63,080 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
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Palm Beach State College earned the #12 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. About 24 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $63,723 in their early career. Palm Beach State College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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Collin County Community College District landed the #13 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. 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. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans.
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Cerritos College placed #14 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 21 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $34,175 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306.
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Northern Virginia Community College placed #15 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. About 30 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $70,727. Students borrow a median of $20,894 to complete this degree.
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Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #16 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. There were roughly 26 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Delaware Technical Community College Terry in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $59,975. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $10,562 in student loans.
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Broward College placed #17 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. About 18 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Broward College in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,110.
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Bergen Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. Bergen Community College awarded about 38 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $62,663. Bergen Community College graduates carry a median of $22,382 in student loans.
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Middlesex County College came in at #19 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Middlesex County College awarded about 27 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $59,451 early in their careers. Middlesex County College graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans.
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Diablo Valley College placed #20 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. About 19 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans.
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El Centro College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Dallas. There were roughly 21 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Typical student debt for the program is $14,557.
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Capital Community College earned the #22 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. About 22 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Capital Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Capital Community College earn around $43,086 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete this degree.
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Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #23 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 37 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Cuny Hostos Community College in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $62,426 early in their careers. Cuny Hostos Community College graduates carry a median of $14,400 in student loans.
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Lone Star College System earned the #24 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. There were roughly 23 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $39,954 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree.
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Saint Louis Community College placed #25 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. About 31 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $60,906. Saint Louis Community College graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
These schools also placed among the best for dental hygiene/hygienist this year:
This list is compiled 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).