2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in New York

[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 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 New York
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
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in New York. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,527 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $55,457. That is a strong return on a $15,527 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hostos Community College earned it the #2 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,400. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $62,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $18,737 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $41,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Monroe Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $41,522. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,515 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $52,151. That is a strong return on a $16,515 median debt.
Orange County Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $64,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Broome Community College came in at #7 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Broome Community College generally make around $60,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Farmingdale State College came in at #8 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $64,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Plaza College earned the #9 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Forest Hills, Plaza College is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,250. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Plaza College earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Plaza College admits about 30% of applicants.
New York University came in at #10 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of New York University earn a median of $57,035 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.