2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 101 schools to find the best return on investment for dental assisting/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Washtenaw Community College earned the #1 spot for value among dental assisting/assistant schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $37,428. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at Elgin Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,709 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $54,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,346 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $53,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $8,099. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College earned the #6 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $15,663. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #7 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,611 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $36,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Technical College landed the #8 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,829. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $42,410. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #9 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,582. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $28,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College earned the #10 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,157. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $31,348. That is a strong return on a $14,157 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #11 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $17,694. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $34,029. Set against $17,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College landed the #12 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $36,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne County Community College District placed #13 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,820 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,820 median debt.
Kaskaskia College came in at #14 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Mott Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $40,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,200. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $47,043. Set against $16,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #17 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $25,000. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $57,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Lakeland Community College landed the #18 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,200 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $48,254. Set against $11,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #19 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Students borrow a median of $25,034 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $43,973 early in their careers. Set against $25,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John A Logan College landed the #20 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,479. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $40,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #21 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $19,309. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $57,217. That is a strong return on a $19,309 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #22 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,625. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College came in at #23 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $27,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #24 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $52,744. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Owens Community College earned the #25 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $20,688. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $46,021. That is a strong return on a $20,688 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for dental assisting/assistant this year:
Narrow Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools by State
More Dental Assisting/Assistant Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
