2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the The Plains States 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for dental assisting/assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental assisting/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among dental assisting/assistant schools in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $53,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salina Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $8,491. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $36,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $6,165. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $30,735. Set against $6,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Indian Hills Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,251 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $57,921. Set against $12,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,855. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #7 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $7,625. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $28,585. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #8 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,978. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $36,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #9 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $9,362. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College landed the #10 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $29,300 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,789 early in their careers. Set against $29,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #11 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $13,125. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $32,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $10,545. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $34,237. That is a strong return on a $10,545 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #13 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $47,901. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #14 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,320 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College landed the #15 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $13,139. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #16 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #17 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,000. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $45,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $25,592 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,787 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #19 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $26,481. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $64,917 early in their careers. Set against $26,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $45,942. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #21 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Students borrow a median of $14,479 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $40,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,479 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $13,946. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $43,009. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Technical College came in at #23 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,254 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,053 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Northwest Technical College generally make around $36,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Linn State Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Linn. Students from in state pay about $8,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. Students borrow a median of $11,042 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $32,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #25 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $46,805. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 35 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
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
