Compare 9 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist. programs in the West. Average earnings: $63,693.
With top graduates earning $77,360, Dental Hygiene/Hygienist stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $14K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Southern California's Dental Hygiene program leads with graduates earning $77,360, followed closely by Pacific University at $75,779. Across 9 western programs, the average earnings reach $63,693, with even the lowest-earning program delivering $39,369—demonstrating consistent career outcomes regardless of school prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. USC graduates borrow $18,000 and face just a 4.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Eastern Washington University leads with a 12.1% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $77,360
Strong outcomes ($75,779) with 92% acceptance
4.5% payment burden | Excellent
12.1% family burden | Manageable
| 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 | $69,999 | 19 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,988 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $67,077 | 50 | $19,500 | Excellent | $17,148 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $65,298 | 60 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,978 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $61,482 | 58 | $19,000 | Excellent | $23,489 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $58,469 | 5 | $18,450 | Excellent | $13,000 | Manageable | |
| #8 | University Of WyomingPublic | $58,402 | 16 | $18,000 | Excellent | $16,000 | Manageable |
| #9 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | $39,369 | 17 | $14,750 | Manageable | $9,582 | Challenging |
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 →
