2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Far Western Region
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 50 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 Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Our analysis ranked Cerritos College the best value for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. 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 Fresno City College earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #4 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moreno Valley College earned it the #5 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #6 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. 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. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Chabot College landed the #7 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Sacramento City College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $13,180. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellingham Technical College landed the #9 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
Cypress College came in at #10 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $77,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Taft College earned the #12 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the town of Taft, Taft College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,108, while out-of-state students pay about $10,852. Median earnings reach $38,861 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College earned the #13 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #14 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $75,252 early in their careers. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #15 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt Hood Community College landed the #16 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Mt Hood Community College generally make around $53,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $52,785. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Los Angeles College earned the #18 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. West Los Angeles College is a large public school located in the suburb of Culver City. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of West Los Angeles College earn a median of $65,978 early in their careers.
Foothill College placed #19 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $17,285 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $81,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lane Community College placed #20 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lane Community College generally make around $60,759. That is a strong return on a $18,373 median debt.
Columbia Basin College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Students from in state pay about $6,555 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,668. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $70,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Students borrow a median of $23,429 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. 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.
Rogue Community College landed the #23 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Grants Pass. Students from in state pay about $5,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $15,248. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Rogue Community College generally make around $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College placed #24 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $47,311. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shoreline Community College came in at #25 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $78,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dental hygiene/hygienist value ranking:
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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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
