[Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental assisting/assistant education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 463 schools to find the best return on investment for dental assisting/assistant students.
Finding the Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant School for You
The dental assisting/assistant program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Cerritos College the best value for a degree in dental assisting/assistant in the United States. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $34,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #2 place for dental assisting/assistant. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $37,428. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $43,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,000. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $44,284 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Georgia Technical College earned it the #5 place for dental assisting/assistant. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,272. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #6 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College placed #7 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #8 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $12,709. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $54,031 early in their careers. Set against $12,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #9 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
College Of San Mateo landed the #10 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Wayne Community College landed the #11 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $35,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College earned the #12 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #13 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $59,330. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,100. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $55,428. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt.
Spokane Community College earned the #15 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Spokane Community College is a large public school located in the city of Spokane. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,631 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $34,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kapiolani Community College placed #16 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Students borrow a median of $14,738 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #17 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College placed #18 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $62,731. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #19 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #20 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $8,492. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College came in at #21 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #22 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $41,598. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #23 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District earned the #24 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $65,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College earned the #25 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $42,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in dental assisting/assistant:
Dental Assisting/Assistant Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Dental Assisting/Assistant. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 463 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 463 ranked schools only.
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).
[Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental assisting/assistant education at a price that pays off.
