2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
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2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Our analysis ranked Laramie County Community College the best value for a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist in the Rocky Mountains Region. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $39,099 early in their careers. Set against $11,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,840 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $45,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sheridan College earned it the #4 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $19,500. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,229. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Community College Of Denver one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $29,472 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $76,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #6 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,357. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $39,676. Set against $9,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University came in at #7 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $22,268. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $41,659 early in their careers. Set against $22,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Idaho College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $49,489. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt.
Pueblo Community College earned the #9 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $19,549 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $62,355 early in their careers. Set against $19,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Northwestern Community College placed #10 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,594 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,304. Students borrow a median of $16,784 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of $62,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,784 median debt.
Idaho State University placed #11 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $23,675. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $53,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Great Falls College Montana State University landed the #12 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,028, compared with $12,911 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,034 ten years after entry.
Front Range Community College came in at #13 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,384 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming earned the #14 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $16,542 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $62,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #15 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $12,450. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $51,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concorde Career College - Denver placed #16 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of Aurora, Concorde Career College - Denver is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $17,375. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $45,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Fortis College Salt Lake City came in at #17 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Fortis College Salt Lake City is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,474 in tuition and fees. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $28,611 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Fortis College Salt Lake City earn a median of $37,063 early in their careers. Set against $28,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
