2027 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools
[Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 170 schools to find the best return on investment for dental assisting/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
For return on investment in dental assisting/assistant, no school beat Cerritos College this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $34,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #2 place for dental assisting/assistant. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $62,481. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $56,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Macomb Community College placed #6 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $9,862. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Wayne Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #9 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Hillsborough Community College placed #10 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $62,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Tarrant County College District earned the #11 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $65,537 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #12 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,100 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $55,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #13 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. 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.
South Florida State College landed the #15 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $42,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #16 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #17 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Del Mar College placed #19 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #20 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $34,948. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College earned the #22 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. 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.
Columbus Technical College earned the #23 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $4,052 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,262. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #24 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. 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, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College placed #25 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for dental assisting/assistant this year:
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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 170 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 170 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.
