by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dental Assisting/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-assisting-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental assisting/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental assisting/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Salina Area Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among dental assisting/assistant schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $17,124. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $38,440. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $53,860. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,165 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $30,735. That is a strong return on a $6,165 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $11,000. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,491 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $36,408 early in their careers. Set against $8,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #6 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College placed #7 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $59,746. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College earned the #8 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $47,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #9 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $14,978. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $36,885. That is a strong return on a $14,978 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #10 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,592 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $45,787. Set against $25,592 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $32,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,545 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $34,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #13 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,251 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $57,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College placed #14 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $29,300 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,300 median debt.
Northwest Technical College placed #15 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Northwest Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,254. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $31,053 in student loans. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Northwest Technical College earn a median of $36,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,053 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #16 position for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $43,635. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #17 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,320 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $48,565. Set against $15,320 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Dakota Technical Institute came in at #18 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public school located in the city of Rapid City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $8,250. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $32,951. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #19 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. 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.
Dakota County Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $45,544. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #21 for value in dental assisting/assistant this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental assisting/assistant graduates is $24,036. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $35,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd landed the #22 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Students borrow a median of $14,479 to complete the dental assisting/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $40,329. Set against $14,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value dental assisting/assistant schools. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $9,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #24 among the best values for dental assisting/assistant. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career dental assisting/assistant graduates make about $46,805. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Linn State Technical College landed the #25 spot for dental assisting/assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. 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. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $32,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in dental assisting/assistant:
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.