2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Southwest Region
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
For return on investment in dental hygiene/hygienist, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,000. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $44,284 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for dental hygiene/hygienist. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes San Juan College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $7,476. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College placed #6 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $40,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College placed #7 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,609. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College placed #9 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,500. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $63,224 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District earned the #10 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $65,537 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College earned the #11 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,519. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $60,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #13 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $56,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College landed the #14 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Temple College earn a median of $58,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College placed #15 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,766. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $66,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District earned the #16 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $9,716. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Lamar Institute Of Technology ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,278 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $53,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,278 median debt.
Lone Star College System came in at #18 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Salado College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $12,786 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $45,744. Set against $12,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,242. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $54,428. Set against $14,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College landed the #21 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $16,241. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $53,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College earned the #22 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $11,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $40,313. Set against $11,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $24,601. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $55,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rose State College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Rose State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $70,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College came in at #25 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,750. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $32,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dental hygiene/hygienist value ranking:
Narrow Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
[Dental Hygiene/Hygienist](/majors/health-care-professions/dental-support-services/dental-hygiene-hygienist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dental hygiene/hygienist education at a price that pays off.
