2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Florida

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
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2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
For return on investment in dental hygiene/hygienist, no school beat St Petersburg College this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $24,734. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $60,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $62,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
South Florida State College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Students borrow a median of $8,204 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $42,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $46,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $59,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $54,550. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $41,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #8 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,123. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $57,021. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Daytona State College came in at #9 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $47,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State College earned the #10 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Palm Beach State College landed the #11 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $63,723. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,026, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,417 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $51,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Fe College placed #13 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,563 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,189. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,875. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Santa Fe College generally make around $56,722. Set against $14,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valencia College earned the #14 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $57,535. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
College Of Central Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Ocala, College Of Central Florida is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,517. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $18,934 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of College Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,055 early in their careers. Set against $18,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Broward College placed #16 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $13,110. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota placed #17 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Bradenton, State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,074, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota generally make around $50,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville earned the #18 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville earn a median of $25,407 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville admits about 94% of applicants.
Concorde Career Institute Tampa came in at #19 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Concorde Career Institute Tampa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Concorde Career Institute Tampa generally make around $27,152. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Concorde Career Institute Miramar ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Miramar, Concorde Career Institute Miramar is a small private for-profit university. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Concorde Career Institute Miramar earn a median of $32,143 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Concorde Career Institute Miramar admits about 100% of applicants.
Concorde Career Institute Orlando came in at #21 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Concorde Career Institute Orlando is a small private for-profit institution. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Concorde Career Institute Orlando earn a median of $25,407 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concorde Career Institute Orlando admits about 90% of applicants.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.