2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Associate’s Degree Schools
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 364 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools.
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2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dental hygiene/hygienist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Our analysis ranked Fresno City College the best value for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist in the United States. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $34,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $62,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. 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.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $26,556 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $62,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $56,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,374. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $51,566. Set against $10,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. 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, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $59,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College landed the #10 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College earned the #11 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College landed the #12 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $46,690. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College came in at #13 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Lake Land College landed the #14 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $58,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,266. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $60,458 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #16 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. 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, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #17 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,692. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #18 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,817. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $52,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,817 median debt.
Chabot College earned the #19 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,122. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #20 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $38,982. Set against $12,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College earned the #21 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $35,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #23 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,100 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $55,428. Set against $16,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College earned the #24 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $53,056. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in dental hygiene/hygienist:
Other Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist rankings across degree levels:
View All Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 364 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 220 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.
