2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Texas
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dental hygiene/hygienist students.
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2026 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in Texas
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 El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Wharton County Junior College one of the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $10,916. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $40,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,916 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,226. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,609. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. 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.
Amarillo College earned the #6 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $42,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $65,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #8 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $60,475. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #9 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $56,005. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Temple College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $58,710. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
Collin County Community College District came in at #11 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Institute Of Technology came in at #12 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, while out-of-state students pay about $12,924. Students borrow a median of $14,278 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $53,644. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System placed #13 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College earned the #14 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $54,428. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
Tyler Junior College placed #15 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $16,241 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $53,557. Set against $16,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State Technical College earned the #16 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $11,542. 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 placed #17 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,601 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $55,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,601 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University earned the #18 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $60,153 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Blinn College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $16,465. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #20 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,394 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Pima Medical Institute Houston came in at #21 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Houston, Pima Medical Institute Houston is a small private for-profit institution. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $20,505 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Houston generally make around $49,259. Set against $20,505 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College Dallas earned the #22 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Concorde Career College Dallas is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students borrow a median of $17,375 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Concorde Career College Dallas earn a median of $45,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Concorde Career College Grand Prairie earned the #23 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the suburb of Grand Prairie, Concorde Career College Grand Prairie is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Concorde Career College Grand Prairie earn a median of $21,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Concorde Career College San Antonio placed #24 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of San Antonio, Concorde Career College San Antonio is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,024. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Concorde Career College San Antonio earn a median of $44,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,024 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 28 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.
