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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Associate’s Degree Schools

241 Colleges in the United States
5,906 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Degrees Awarded
$52,016 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Dental Hygiene/Hygienist in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Dental Hygiene/Hygienist

1

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Santa Rosa Junior College

2

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. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

3

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Fresno City College

4

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Pima Community College

5

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Pasadena City College

6
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

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. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at New York University

7

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Southwestern College Chula Vista

8
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

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. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for University Of New Haven

9

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. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Truckee Meadows Community College

10

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for College Of Southern Nevada

11

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for College Of Lake County

12

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. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Palm Beach State College

13

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. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Collin County Community College District

14
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

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. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Cerritos College

15

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Northern Virginia Community College

16

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Delaware Technical Community College Terry

17
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

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. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Broward College

18

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Bergen Community College

19

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. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Middlesex County College

20
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

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. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Diablo Valley College

21
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

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. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from El Centro College

22

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Capital Community College

23

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. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Cuny Hostos Community College

24
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

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. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Lone Star College System

25

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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Saint Louis Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools

These schools also placed among the best for dental hygiene/hygienist this year:

26
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
27
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
28
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
36
37
38
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
47
48
49
50

Additional Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Award Winners

These schools also stood out for dental hygiene/hygienist:

Rank School Location
#58 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI
#59 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
#70 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
#73 San Joaquin Valley College Visalia Visalia, CA
#81 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI
#94 Athens Technical College Athens, GA
#101 Baltimore City Community College Baltimore, MD
#104 Middlesex Community College Bedford Bedford, MA
#108 Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley, CA
#114 Hagerstown Community College Hagerstown, MD
#122 Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA
#137 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
#147 Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ
#148 Flint Hills Technical College Emporia, KS
#157 Columbus Technical College Columbus, GA
#158 Harcum College Bryn Mawr, PA
#162 Century College White Bear Lake, MN
#163 Rochester Community And Technical College Rochester, MN
#167 North Dakota State College Of Science Wahpeton, ND
#174 Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GA
#176 Plaza College Forest Hills, NY

Honorable Mentions

A few more dental hygiene/hygienist schools worth a look:

Other Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Degree Levels

Explore the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Bachelor's Degrees in Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Master's Degrees in Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
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View All Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Rankings >

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Notes and References

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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