2026 Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in California
Dental Assisting/Assistant is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 87 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for dental assisting/assistant students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Dental Assisting/Assistant in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall dental assisting/assistant education in California.
Top Schools in Dental Assisting/Assistant
Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in dental assisting/assistant. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 17 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Santa Rosa Junior College
Carrington College California Pleasant Hill came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 38 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Carrington College California Pleasant Hill in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Carrington College California Pleasant Hill earn a median of $28,060 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,151.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Carrington College California Pleasant Hill
Students looking for a strong dental assisting/assistant program will find one at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Cerritos College awarded about 35 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $34,175. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Cerritos College
Carrington College California San Leandro came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of San Leandro, Carrington College California San Leandro is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 60 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College California San Leandro in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Carrington College California San Leandro earn around $28,060 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,151 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Carrington College California San Leandro
Carrington College California Stockton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental assisting/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. Carrington College California Stockton awarded about 60 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from Carrington College California Stockton generally make around $28,060. Typical student debt for the program is $9,151.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Carrington College California Stockton
Carrington College California Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Carrington College California Sacramento is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Carrington College California Sacramento awarded about 161 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Carrington College California Sacramento earn around $49,301 in the first couple years of their career. Carrington College California Sacramento graduates carry a median of $20,751 in student loans.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Carrington College California Sacramento
Fresno City College landed the #7 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. About 13 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Fresno City College
Diablo Valley College earned the #8 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 30 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Diablo Valley College
Foothill College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 21 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from Foothill College earn around $81,255 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,285 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Foothill College
Pasadena City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Pasadena City College awarded about 22 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Pasadena City College
Carrington College California San Jose ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of San Jose. About 137 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Carrington College California San Jose in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Carrington College California San Jose earn a median of $49,301 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,751.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Carrington College California San Jose
Sacramento City College came in at #12 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. About 27 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Sacramento City College in the most recent year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Sacramento City College
Oxnard College placed #13 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oxnard. About 33 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Oxnard College
College Of San Mateo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. There were roughly 20 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans.
Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for College Of San Mateo
Cypress College landed the #15 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. About 20 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at Cypress College in the most recent year.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at Cypress College
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno landed the #16 spot for dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit institution. About 53 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Valley College Fresno in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental assisting/assistant degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Fresno generally make around $27,039. San Joaquin Valley College Fresno graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for San Joaquin Valley College Fresno
Moreno Valley College came in at #17 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. There were roughly 38 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Moreno Valley College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,643.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for Moreno Valley College
San Diego Mesa College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best dental assisting/assistant schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego Mesa College graduates 92% of students within six years. About 32 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Diego Mesa College earn around $29,852 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans.
Get the full dental assisting/assistant details for San Diego Mesa College
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia placed #19 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the city of Visalia, San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a mid-sized private for-profit university. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia awarded about 63 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Joaquin Valley College Visalia earn around $47,478 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,750.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for San Joaquin Valley College Visalia
San Joaquin Valley College Temecula earned the #20 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Set in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit institution. About 38 dental assisting/assistant degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Valley College Temecula in the most recent year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Joaquin Valley College Temecula earn around $27,039 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at San Joaquin Valley College Temecula
San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia earned the #21 position for dental assisting/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Hesperia, San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 41 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia earn around $27,039 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
Read more about the dental assisting/assistant program at San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield came in at #22 for dental assisting/assistant this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Bakersfield. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield awarded about 30 dental assisting/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental assisting/assistant degree from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn around $27,039 in the first couple years of their career. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield
Palomar College placed #23 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. There were roughly 20 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Palomar College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Palomar College
Allan Hancock College came in at #24 for dental assisting/assistant this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. There were roughly 34 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in dental assisting/assistant from Allan Hancock College
West Los Angeles College placed #25 among the best dental assisting/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. There were roughly 146 dental assisting/assistant students who graduated with this degree at West Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Dental Assisting/assistant graduates of West Los Angeles College earn a median of $65,978 early in their careers.
See the full dental assisting/assistant program report for West Los Angeles College
Rest of the Top 50 Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools
These schools also placed among the best for dental assisting/assistant this year:
More Dental Assisting/Assistant Rankings
View All Dental Assisting/Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 87 schools evaluated.
- 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.
