2027 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 130 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 Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked Central Piedmont Community College the best value for a degree in dental assisting/assistant in the Southeast Region. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, 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 $43,908. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $12,651. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,272. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Wayne Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,864. 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.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #6 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. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,148. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $41,598. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #7 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #8 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $59,330. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College placed #9 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #10 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $7,230. 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.
Wilkes Community College landed the #11 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,909. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College landed the #13 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $8,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus Technical College placed #14 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,052 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,845 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #15 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College came in at #16 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $56,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #17 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $16,131. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #18 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Alamance Community College earned the #19 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $32,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
Miami Dade College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $41,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wytheville Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $55,931. That is a strong return on a $9,542 median debt.
Chattanooga State Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $35,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College placed #24 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,999. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #25 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $13,708. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. That is a strong return on a $13,708 median debt.
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:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 130 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.
