2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools.
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2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $54,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #3 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $13,625. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $58,853. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,374 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $51,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,374 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,817. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $52,947 early in their careers. Set against $9,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #7 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,400 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $49,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,400 median debt.
Lorain County Community College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $15,747. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $47,358. Set against $15,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Rock Valley College came in at #10 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,236. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $59,574 early in their careers. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College earned the #11 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $36,828. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,346. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $53,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,136. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $49,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #14 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $15,865. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $46,032 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #15 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $31,348. Set against $14,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #16 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $38,982. That is a strong return on a $12,272 median debt.
Kellogg Community College landed the #17 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $57,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
College Of Dupage landed the #19 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,871. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $59,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,871 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,611 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $36,371 early in their careers. Set against $12,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,926. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $40,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $13,000. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $63,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College came in at #23 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,200 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $48,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,200 median debt.
Parkland College placed #24 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $47,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
Columbus State Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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.
