2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in California
[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 27 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 California
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
Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in California. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #3. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Sacramento City College came in at #6 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Taft College earned the #7 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the town of Taft, Taft College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,108, compared with $10,852 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,861 ten years after entry.
Chabot College earned the #8 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #9 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College landed the #10 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. 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. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College placed #11 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Foothill College landed the #12 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $17,285. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $81,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Los Angeles College earned the #13 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, 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.
Southwestern College Chula Vista placed #14 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $67,733. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Concorde Career College Garden Grove ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Concorde Career College Garden Grove is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden Grove. Students borrow a median of $19,338 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Concorde Career College Garden Grove generally make around $47,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario came in at #16 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Ontario, San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit university. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $67,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concorde Career College San Bernardino earned the #17 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Concorde Career College San Bernardino is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Bernardino. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Concorde Career College San Bernardino generally make around $48,522. That is a strong return on a $17,765 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of The Pacific placed #18 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $23,514. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $77,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Concorde Career College San Diego ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Concorde Career College San Diego is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $17,813. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $50,247. That is a strong return on a $17,813 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Visalia. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Visalia earn a median of $47,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carrington College California San Jose placed #21 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of San Jose, Carrington College California San Jose is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $20,751. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Carrington College California San Jose earn a median of $49,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Coast University Orange County placed #22 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Anaheim, West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,506. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $36,134 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $73,751. Set against $36,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carrington College California Sacramento earned the #23 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, Carrington College California Sacramento is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $20,751 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Carrington College California Sacramento generally make around $49,301. That is a strong return on a $20,751 median debt.
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
