[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 315 schools to find the best return on investment for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
Finding the Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist School for You
The dental hygiene/hygienist program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $34,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,250. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $59,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,861. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $43,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #4 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $44,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes West Georgia Technical College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,272. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
El Centro College came in at #6 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College landed the #7 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,862. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Oxnard College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Wayne Community College placed #9 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $35,336 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,709. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $54,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #11 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,191. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College earned the #12 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $58,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College placed #13 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $24,734. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $60,694. That is a strong return on a $24,734 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #14 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $16,100 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $55,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #15 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $62,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #16 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $59,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #17 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #18 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $51,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #20 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College earned the #21 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $46,690. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #22 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $52,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #24 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College earned the #25 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dental hygiene/hygienist value ranking:
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Related Rankings by Major
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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 · 315 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 315 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).
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.
