by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dental hygiene/hygienist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Bellingham Technical College, our #1 best value for dental hygiene/hygienist in Washington. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,431 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, 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. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Seattle Community College Central Campus one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $53,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia Basin College earned it the #4 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized 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. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $70,534. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Clark College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,429 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $64,500. That is a strong return on a $23,429 median debt.
Shoreline Community College earned the #6 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $27,250. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $78,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $17,154. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.
Yakima Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,312, while out-of-state students pay about $5,873. Students borrow a median of $14,649 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Yakima Valley Community College earn a median of $62,574 early in their careers. Set against $14,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Washington University placed #9 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $67,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Pima Medical Institute Seattle earned the #10 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Pima Medical Institute Seattle is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $20,505 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Seattle generally make around $49,259. Set against $20,505 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.