2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 364 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools.
What’s on this page:
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
Leading the list is Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, our #1 best value for dental hygiene/hygienist in the United States. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $77,431. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Georgia Highlands College, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,080. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Georgia Highlands College generally make around $56,814. Set against $15,134 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $17,285 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $81,255. Set against $17,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #4 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,000. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $57,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truckee Meadows Community College earned it the #5 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
West Los Angeles College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $65,978.
Columbia Basin College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,000. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $70,534. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $15,528. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $72,908. Set against $15,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Clark College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $23,429. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $64,500. That is a strong return on a $23,429 median debt.
Utah Valley University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. 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.
Tyler Junior College placed #11 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,241 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $53,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, 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. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Community College Of Denver landed the #13 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $29,472. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $76,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #14 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University came in at #15 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Yakima Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,312, with out-of-state students paying around $5,873. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,649. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $62,574. Set against $14,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #17 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $58,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Weber State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $21,912 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $45,118. That is a strong return on a $21,912 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #19 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $26,168 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $64,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Clayton State University landed the #20 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,000. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $54,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Pueblo Community College earned the #21 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,549. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Kentucky University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $47,974. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Wyoming ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $16,542. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,557. Set against $16,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #24 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $60,188. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,431 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $54,207. That is a strong return on a $15,431 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
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:
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
The ranking above is published 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 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.
