by our College Data Analytics TeamDental Hygiene/Hygienist was the 98th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 8,807 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 23.8% increase in dental hygiene degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 6,708.
This year's Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools ranking compares 267 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom dental hygiene rankings further below.
A major in dental hygiene prepares you for careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is crucial. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most dental hygiene degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific dental hygiene careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Dental Hygiene degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in dental hygiene/hygienist to the highest dental hygiene degree, a . The type of dental hygiene degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dental hygiene, with approximately 41.6% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to dental hygiene tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 53.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 18.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 8.7% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 6.7% |
Most workers in dental hygiene have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in dental hygiene/hygienist careers have.
This of course varies depending on which dental hygiene career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your dental hygiene degree? Dental Hygiene/Hygienist careers are expected to grow 23.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dental hygiene/hygienist.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Dental Hygienists | 248,900 | 19.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for dental hygiene graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dental hygiene grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Dental Hygienists | $75,500 |
With over 425 different dental hygiene degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dental hygiene school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Dental Support Services area of study, Dental Hygiene/Hygienist has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dental Assisting/Assistant | 17,223 |
| Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician | 287 |
| Other Dental Services & Allied Professions | 82 |
