ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Illinois

12 Colleges in the United States
312 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Degrees Awarded
$53,013 Avg Early-Career Salary

Dental Hygiene/Hygienist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their dental hygiene/hygienist programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 14 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:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.06), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Healthcare DA to Dental Hygienist Programs (I Am a Dental Assistant)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Healthcare DA to Dental Hygienist Programs (I Am a Dental Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Dental Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Dental Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Dental Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Dental Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 3
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Dental Hygiene/Hygienist in Illinois

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.

Top Schools in Dental Hygiene/Hygienist

1

College Of Lake County tops our 2026 ranking of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. About 22 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $63,080 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at College Of Lake County

2

Lewis And Clark Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 13 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $54,031. Lewis And Clark Community College graduates carry a median of $12,709 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Lewis And Clark Community College

3
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

Students looking for a strong dental hygiene/hygienist program will find one at College Of Dupage, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. About 29 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $59,215. Students borrow a median of $19,871 to complete this degree. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for College Of Dupage

4
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Lewis University awarded about 12 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Lewis University

5
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. About 21 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Harper College earn a median of $56,767 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Harper College

6
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. About 34 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Parkland College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $47,133 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Parkland College

7
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

Carl Sandburg College earned the #7 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. About 29 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Carl Sandburg College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $51,566 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,374 to complete this degree. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Carl Sandburg College

8
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College came in at #8 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 24 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $58,853. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Lake Land College

9
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College placed #9 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. About 20 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Illinois Central College graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Illinois Central College

10

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. There were roughly 25 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $38,982 in their early career. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

11
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College placed #11 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 16 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Rock Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Rock Valley College earn around $59,574 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete this degree. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Rock Valley College

12
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College landed the #12 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. About 34 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Prairie State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete this degree. See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Prairie State College

13

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $53,559. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full dental hygiene/hygienist details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ADBLOCK #173
View All Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options