Compare 46 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $57,725. Top programs: $77,360+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Dental Hygiene/Hygienist programs tell a different story. Across 46 programs, earnings range from $60,211 to $77,360—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Southern California's Dental Hygiene program leads with graduates earning $77,360, well above the $57,725 average. Pacific University follows at $75,779, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't limited to the most selective schools. With a 92% acceptance rate, Pacific proves accessible programs can compete at the top.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Farmingdale State College graduates borrow $14,718 and face just a 4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their $72,908 post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $77,360 | 21 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Pacific UniversityPrivate | $75,779 | 30 | $23,223 | Excellent | $33,960 | Manageable |
| #3 | $72,908 | 23 | $14,718 | Excellent | $18,349 | Good | |
| #4 | $69,999 | 19 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,988 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $69,479 | 13 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,585 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $67,077 | 50 | $19,500 | Excellent | $17,148 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $65,925 | 45 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $65,587 | 27 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $65,298 | 60 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,978 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $64,402 | 28 | $20,000 | Excellent | $17,205 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $62,938 | 29 | $18,750 | Excellent | $18,462 | Manageable | |
| #12 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | $62,400 | 30 | $19,218 | Excellent | $13,471 | Good |
| #13 | University Of New HavenPrivate | $62,320 | 25 | $27,000 | Good | $54,414 | High |
| #14 | Mcphs UniversityPrivate | $62,277 | 51 | $25,000 | Good | $46,544 | High |
| #15 | $61,482 | 58 | $19,000 | Excellent | $23,489 | Manageable | |
| #16 | University Of BridgeportPrivate | $60,701 | 40 | $25,750 | Good | $22,931 | Challenging |
| #17 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $60,633 | 44 | $24,000 | Good | $18,866 | Manageable |
| #18 | University Of New EnglandPrivate | $60,240 | 42 | $25,250 | Good | $29,675 | Challenging |
| #19 | $60,229 | 25 | $21,500 | Excellent | $10,174 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Regis CollegePrivate | $60,211 | 17 | $25,500 | Good | $32,238 | Challenging |
| #21 | $59,168 | 43 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #22 | $59,056 | 23 | $20,105 | Excellent | $13,626 | Manageable | |
| #23 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $58,896 | 21 | $22,500 | Good | $32,980 | Challenging |
| #24 | $58,756 | 47 | $21,106 | Excellent | $13,695 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $58,469 | 5 | $18,450 | Excellent | $13,000 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
