2027 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Southwest Region
[Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental assisting/assistant education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 51 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools.
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2027 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Southwest 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 Pima Community College the best value for a degree in dental assisting/assistant in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $44,284. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $15,148. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $65,537. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in dental assisting/assistant will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #4. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lamar State College Orange one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $22,866. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #6 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College placed #7 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $56,005. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
San Antonio College landed the #8 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Mohave Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $66,796. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #10 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $30,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Arizona College came in at #12 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $40,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cochise College came in at #13 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $12,013. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College came in at #14 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $16,241 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $53,557. Set against $16,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Tulsa. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,750. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $32,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $70,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt.
Santa Fe Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Santa Fe Community College generally make around $51,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute Houston earned the #19 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Houston, Pima Medical Institute Houston is a small private for-profit institution. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,505 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Houston generally make around $49,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pci Health Training Center came in at #20 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Pci Health Training Center is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $8,095 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Pci Health Training Center earn a median of $24,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,095 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute Mesa ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute Mesa is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $8,509 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Mesa generally make around $27,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute Phoenix earned the #22 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Pima Medical Institute Phoenix is a small private for-profit university. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,193 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Phoenix generally make around $29,935.
Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque earned the #23 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque earn a median of $39,835 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest University At El Paso came in at #24 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Southwest University At El Paso is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,000. Students borrow a median of $34,055 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Southwest University At El Paso generally make around $42,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fortis Institute Houston landed the #25 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Fortis Institute Houston is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,140 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Fortis Institute Houston generally make around $19,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
