2027 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the The Plains States 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 30 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dental hygiene/hygienist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
Salina Area Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools in the The Plains States Region. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in dental hygiene/hygienist will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $53,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #3 spot this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $36,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $60,906 early in their careers. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $59,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College landed the #6 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #7 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,592. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,787 early in their careers. Set against $25,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College placed #8 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,978 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $36,885. Set against $14,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #9 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $32,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #10 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,251 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $57,921. That is a strong return on a $12,251 median debt.
Century College earned the #11 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $29,300. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #12 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science earned the #13 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,320 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $48,565. That is a strong return on a $15,320 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #14 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $25,374. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $59,420. Set against $25,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $45,942. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Normandale Community College placed #16 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Early-career dental hygiene/hygienist graduates make about $62,751. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University landed the #17 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $26,817 in student loans. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $56,798 early in their careers. Set against $26,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #18 among the best values for dental hygiene/hygienist. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #19 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $14,479. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $44,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $13,532. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $57,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #21 position for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $46,805. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #22 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist value this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates carry a median of $26,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $64,917. Set against $26,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College came in at #23 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Typical student debt for dental hygiene/hygienist graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $50,993. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Flint Hills Technical College came in at #24 for value in dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $6,944. Students borrow a median of $15,498 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Flint Hills Technical College earn a median of $41,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Herzing University Minneapolis ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of St. Louis Park, Herzing University Minneapolis is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Students borrow a median of $26,871 to complete the dental hygiene/hygienist program here. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of Herzing University Minneapolis earn a median of $50,206 early in their careers. Set against $26,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dental hygiene/hygienist value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
