2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among dental hygiene/hygienist schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Luzerne County Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,750. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $41,650. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery County Community College earned it the #3 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $49,729. That is a strong return on a $16,707 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Community College Of Philadelphia one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,926 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $34,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $50,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #6 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $20,867. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $52,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
Manor College came in at #7 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Jenkintown, Manor College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,780. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Manor College earn a median of $42,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lancaster County Career And Technology Center came in at #8 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Willow Street, Lancaster County Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $13,858 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $48,126. Set against $13,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
All State Career School Lester earned the #9 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Essington, All State Career School Lester is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $14,666 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $26,998. That is a strong return on a $14,666 median debt.
Harcum College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. In-state tuition and fees average $32,000. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,049. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Harcum College generally make around $53,534. Set against $25,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #11 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $28,383 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $57,043. Set against $28,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #12 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
More Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Rankings
View All Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
