2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 73 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
College Of Southern Nevada tops our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools in the United States. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $75,252. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $77,431 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,285 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $81,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $57,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,840. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $45,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,840 median debt.
Georgia Highlands College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Rome, Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $10,080. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,134 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $56,814. That is a strong return on a $15,134 median debt.
Columbia Basin College came in at #7 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Columbia Basin College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pasco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $70,534. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,352, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,290. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clayton State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,000. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $54,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
West Los Angeles College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. West Los Angeles College is a large public school located in the suburb of Culver City. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of West Los Angeles College earn a median of $65,978 early in their careers.
Community College Of Denver ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $29,472. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $76,712. That is a strong return on a $29,472 median debt.
Tyler Junior College came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $16,241. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $53,557. That is a strong return on a $16,241 median debt.
Farmingdale State College landed the #13 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,528 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $72,908. That is a strong return on a $15,528 median debt. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #14 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,418, compared with $5,976 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $39,975. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University came in at #15 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $21,912. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $45,118 early in their careers. Set against $21,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #16 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,431 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $54,207. Set against $15,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $55,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Clark College placed #18 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $64,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith placed #19 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $24,625. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $58,380. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #20 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $26,168. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $64,402. That is a strong return on a $26,168 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University placed #21 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,601 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $55,694. That is a strong return on a $24,601 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $47,974. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Midwestern State University placed #23 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $60,153. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pueblo Community College earned the #24 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $19,549 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,355. That is a strong return on a $19,549 median debt.
Yakima Valley Community College came in at #25 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,312, while out-of-state students pay about $5,873. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,649. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Yakima Valley Community College earn a median of $62,574 early in their careers. 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 also delivered strong value for dental hygiene/hygienist this year:
Other Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value dental hygiene/hygienist schools at other degree levels:
View All Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.
