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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Lorain County Community College the best value for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist in Ohio. 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. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,747 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $47,358. That is a strong return on a $15,747 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,400. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $49,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Stark State College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $14,157 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $31,348. That is a strong return on a $14,157 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,346 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $53,091. That is a strong return on a $19,346 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Lakeland Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,200. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $48,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College earned the #6 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #7 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Students borrow a median of $18,010 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $54,584. Set against $18,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College landed the #8 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $20,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $46,021. Set against $20,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,000. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $48,826. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Hocking College came in at #10 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $16,535. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $37,713. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee State University came in at #11 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $38,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College landed the #12 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,309 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $57,217 early in their careers. Set against $19,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $61,173. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.