Compare 54 Dental Hygiene/Hygienist. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $68,252. Top programs: $86,150+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Dental Hygiene/Hygienist programs tell a different story. Across 54 programs, earnings range from $54,022 to $86,150—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. A regional public in Oregon or West Virginia can deliver outcomes that match or beat a private institution charging twice as much.
University of the Pacific leads with dental hygiene graduates earning $86,150—well above the $68,252 national average across all 54 ranked programs. MCPHS University in Boston follows at $83,253, while public University of Hawaii at Manoa reaches $79,863 at a net price of just $10,675. The pattern is clear: strong program outcomes don't require a prestigious school name.
Debt burden separates good programs from genuinely smart choices. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates carry just $14,000 in student debt, producing a 3.8% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' tier. For families weighing parent loans, UT Health San Antonio delivers the lowest combined burden at 9.6%, rated 'Good.' Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →: https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs
Highest program earnings: $86,150
Strong outcomes ($78,089) with 95% acceptance
3.8% payment burden | Excellent
9.6% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of The PacificPrivate | $86,150 | 25 | $19,500 | Excellent | $50,438 | Manageable |
| #2 | Mcphs UniversityPrivate | $83,253 | 70 | $25,000 | Excellent | $46,544 | Manageable |
| #3 | $79,863 | 17 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,988 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Pacific UniversityPrivate | $78,641 | 33 | $23,223 | Excellent | $33,960 | Manageable |
| #5 | $78,231 | 16 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,585 | Good | |
| #6 | $78,089 | 58 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,978 | Manageable | |
| #7 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $76,662 | 20 | $22,500 | Excellent | $32,980 | Manageable |
| #8 | $76,078 | 28 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $75,533 | 42 | $19,500 | Excellent | $17,148 | Good | |
| #10 | University Of BridgeportPrivate | $74,822 | 36 | $25,750 | Excellent | $22,931 | Manageable |
| #11 | University Of New EnglandPrivate | $74,504 | 54 | $25,250 | Excellent | $29,675 | Manageable |
| #12 | $74,347 | 18 | $21,030 | Excellent | $19,367 | Good | |
| #13 | $74,215 | 13 | $15,000 | Excellent | $27,234 | Manageable | |
| #14 | University Of New HavenPrivate | $73,231 | 27 | $27,000 | Excellent | $54,414 | Challenging |
| #15 | $72,882 | 59 | $21,106 | Excellent | $13,695 | Good | |
| #16 | $72,567 | 26 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Good | |
| #17 | $71,120 | 17 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,624 | Good | |
| #18 | $70,853 | 25 | $14,718 | Excellent | $18,349 | Good | |
| #19 | $70,132 | 29 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $69,732 | 74 | $24,000 | Excellent | $18,866 | Manageable |
| #21 | $69,031 | 22 | $15,000 | Excellent | $19,050 | Good | |
| #22 | $68,917 | 55 | $19,000 | Excellent | $23,489 | Manageable | |
| #23 | $68,609 | 26 | $21,543 | Excellent | $19,500 | Manageable | |
| #24 | $68,556 | 37 | $23,592 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #25 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | $68,392 | 6 | $18,750 | Excellent | $17,192 | Good |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
