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2026 Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in California

20 Colleges in the United States
905 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Degrees Awarded
$56,609 Avg Early-Career Salary

Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their dental hygiene/hygienist programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools to find the best for dental hygiene/hygienist students.

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Best Schools for Dental Hygiene/Hygienist in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall dental hygiene/hygienist education in California.

Top Schools in Dental Hygiene/Hygienist

1

Leading the list is Santa Rosa Junior College, our #1 school for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 25 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Santa Rosa Junior College

2
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Loma Linda University

3

Southwestern College Chula Vista is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chula Vista. Southwestern College Chula Vista awarded about 30 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data 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. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Southwestern College Chula Vista

4
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 21 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $34,175. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Cerritos College

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of The Pacific one of the top schools for dental hygiene/hygienist. 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. There were roughly 11 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for University Of The Pacific

6

Carrington College California Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, Carrington College California Sacramento is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Carrington College California Sacramento awarded about 57 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Carrington College California Sacramento earn around $49,301 in the first couple years of their career. Carrington College California Sacramento graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Carrington College California Sacramento

7

Fresno City College earned the #7 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Fresno City College awarded about 25 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Fresno City College

8
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College landed the #8 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 19 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Diablo Valley College

9
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. About 59 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $81,255 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,285. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Foothill College

10

Pasadena City College landed the #10 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 15 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Pasadena City College

11
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College placed #11 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. About 38 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Chabot College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Chabot College earn around $85,175 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete this degree. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Chabot College

12

West Coast University Orange County landed the #12 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This moderately-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of Anaheim. West Coast University Orange County graduates 60% of students within six years. About 66 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at West Coast University Orange County in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $73,751 in their early career. West Coast University Orange County graduates carry a median of $36,134 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from West Coast University Orange County

13

Carrington College California San Jose earned the #13 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of San Jose, Carrington College California San Jose is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 55 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College California San Jose in the most recent data year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Carrington College California San Jose earn a median of $49,301 early in their careers. Carrington College California San Jose graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Carrington College California San Jose

14

San Joaquin Valley College Ontario earned the #14 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Ontario. About 30 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Valley College Ontario in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from San Joaquin Valley College Ontario earn around $67,916 in the first couple years of their career. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from San Joaquin Valley College Ontario

15
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College landed the #15 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. There were roughly 15 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Sacramento City College graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Sacramento City College

16
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College earned the #16 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oxnard. Oxnard College awarded about 17 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Oxnard College

17
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College landed the #17 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. There were roughly 73 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Cypress College in the most recent data year. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Cypress College

18
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College earned the #18 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Moreno Valley College awarded about 18 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $45,515 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,643. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Moreno Valley College

19

San Joaquin Valley College Visalia ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Visalia, San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a mid-sized private for-profit university. About 64 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Valley College Visalia in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Visalia earn a median of $47,478 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,750. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from San Joaquin Valley College Visalia

20
West Los Angeles College crest
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA

West Los Angeles College earned the #20 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Culver City. West Los Angeles College awarded about 66 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of West Los Angeles College earn a median of $65,978 early in their careers. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at West Los Angeles College

21
Taft College crest
Taft College
Taft, CA

Taft College landed the #21 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Taft College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Taft. There were roughly 15 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Taft College in the most recent data year. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Taft College

22

Concorde Career College Garden Grove placed #22 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Concorde Career College Garden Grove is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden Grove. There were roughly 58 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Concorde Career College Garden Grove in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Concorde Career College Garden Grove generally make around $47,577. Concorde Career College Garden Grove graduates carry a median of $19,338 in student loans. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Concorde Career College Garden Grove

23

Concorde Career College San Diego came in at #23 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Concorde Career College San Diego is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 44 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Concorde Career College San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Concorde Career College San Diego earn around $50,247 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Concorde Career College San Diego

24

Concorde Career College San Bernardino placed #24 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Concorde Career College San Bernardino is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Bernardino. There were roughly 51 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Concorde Career College San Bernardino in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Concorde Career College San Bernardino generally make around $48,522. Students borrow a median of $17,765 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Concorde Career College San Bernardino

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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