2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 594 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools.
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2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dental assisting/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
Fresno City College earned the #1 spot for value among dental assisting/assistant schools in the United States. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $34,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $62,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. 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, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College placed #6 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #7 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $56,456 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #8 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $19,139. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $59,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College landed the #9 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,692. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Bates Technical College came in at #11 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Moreno Valley College placed #12 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $12,643. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #13 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Wayne Community College landed the #14 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. 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. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $60,458. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #16 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,100 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. 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.
Trident Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #18 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #20 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $53,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #21 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $13,417. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $54,276. That is a strong return on a $13,417 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $8,542. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #23 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $62,731. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. 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, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #25 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $54,550 early in their careers. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dental assisting/assistant value ranking:
Other Dental Assisting/Assistant Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Dental Assisting/Assistant rankings across degree levels:
View All Dental Assisting/Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 594 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
