2027 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental assisting/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental assisting/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among dental assisting/assistant schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Luzerne County Community College earned it the #2 place for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $41,650. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Manor College earned it the #3 place for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the suburb of Jenkintown, Manor College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,780. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Manor College earn a median of $42,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public school located in the city of Altoona. Students borrow a median of $17,867 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center earn a median of $47,891 early in their careers. Set against $17,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $52,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yti Career Institute York placed #6 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the suburb of York, Yti Career Institute York is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $9,500. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Yti Career Institute York earn a median of $27,842 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lancaster County Career And Technology Center came in at #7 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Willow Street, Lancaster County Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $13,858. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $48,126. That is a strong return on a $13,858 median debt.
Central Pennsylvania College landed the #8 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Summerdale, Central Pennsylvania College is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,854. Students borrow a median of $40,957 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Central Pennsylvania College earn a median of $45,051 early in their careers. Set against $40,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Pennsylvania College admits about 18% of applicants.
Great Lakes Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Erie, Great Lakes Institute Of Technology is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,690 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Great Lakes Institute Of Technology generally make around $24,398. Set against $10,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
All State Career School Lester placed #10 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the suburb of Essington, All State Career School Lester is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $14,666 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from All State Career School Lester generally make around $26,998. Set against $14,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berks Technical Institute earned the #11 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Wyomissing, Berks Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $26,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Berks Technical Institute generally make around $26,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Institute Of Medical Careers placed #12 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Institute Of Medical Careers is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,166 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $28,910.
Harcum College came in at #13 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,000 in tuition and fees. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $25,049 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Harcum College generally make around $53,534. Set against $25,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Dental Assisting/Assistant Rankings
View All Dental Assisting/Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
