2026 Best Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools in the Southwest Region
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for dental hygiene/hygienist students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Dental Hygiene/Hygienist in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall dental hygiene/hygienist education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 29 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,394. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
Read more about the dental hygiene/hygienist program at Texas A And M University College Station
Students looking for a strong dental hygiene/hygienist program will find one at University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a mid-sized public university. University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center awarded about 46 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center earn around $75,367 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,990.
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Pima Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Pima Community College awarded about 29 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $44,284 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
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Collin County Community College District is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of McKinney. About 22 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $42,177 in their early career. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Collin County Community College District
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston awarded about 30 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston generally make around $59,360. Students borrow a median of $23,475 to complete this degree.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
El Centro College landed the #6 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Dallas. El Centro College awarded about 21 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from El Centro College earn around $41,295 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,557.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for El Centro College
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio earned the #7 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 23 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio generally make around $64,535. Typical student debt for the program is $23,296.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio
Lone Star College System landed the #8 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Lone Star College System awarded about 23 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Lone Star College System earn around $39,954 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree.
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Northern Arizona University came in at #9 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 52 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $64,082 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,169 to complete this degree.
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Texas Womans University placed #10 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 59 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $55,694 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,601.
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Wharton County Junior College placed #11 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 28 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Wharton County Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $40,554. Typical student debt for the program is $10,916.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Wharton County Junior College
Austin Community College District earned the #12 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Austin Community College District earn around $60,475 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Austin Community College District
Tarrant County College District earned the #13 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Worth. There were roughly 22 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Tarrant County College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $65,537 in their early career. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans.
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Carrington College Mesa ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Carrington College Mesa is a small private for-profit institution. Carrington College Mesa awarded about 85 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Carrington College Mesa generally make around $45,460. Carrington College Mesa graduates carry a median of $18,311 in student loans.
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Houston Community College placed #15 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 13 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $56,005. Typical student debt for the program is $19,223.
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University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $55,003. Typical student debt for the program is $20,378.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Tyler Junior College came in at #17 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. About 43 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at Tyler Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $53,557 in their early career. Tyler Junior College graduates carry a median of $16,241 in student loans.
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Temple College earned the #18 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 11 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Temple College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $58,710. Temple College graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans.
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San Juan College landed the #19 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 11 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at San Juan College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from San Juan College earn around $41,697 in the first couple years of their career. San Juan College graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans.
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Midwestern State University came in at #20 for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. There were roughly 17 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $60,153. Midwestern State University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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Phoenix College landed the #21 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. There were roughly 21 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Phoenix College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dental hygiene/hygienist degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $32,248. Phoenix College graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Phoenix College
Amarillo College placed #22 among the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Amarillo College awarded about 24 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Amarillo College earn around $42,484 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,375 to complete this degree.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Amarillo College
Tulsa Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best dental hygiene/hygienist schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Tulsa Community College awarded about 13 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dental hygiene/hygienist degree from Tulsa Community College earn around $63,224 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dental hygiene/hygienist from Tulsa Community College
El Paso Community College earned the #24 position for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. About 12 dental hygiene/hygienist degrees were awarded at El Paso Community College in the most recent year. Dental Hygiene/hygienist graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. El Paso Community College graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans.
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Blinn College landed the #25 spot for dental hygiene/hygienist this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 14 dental hygiene/hygienist students who graduated with this degree at Blinn College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dental hygiene/hygienist program make about $43,408 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,465.
See the full dental hygiene/hygienist program report for Blinn College
Rest of the Top 39 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist Schools
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 42 schools evaluated.
- 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.
