15 of the Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant Studies

(source)

According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), the job growth expectation between 2012-2022 for Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant careers is 33% and 25%, respectively — amongst some of the fastest-growing occupations. This is compared to the national average of 11% increase for all jobs during the same duration. (See Reference section for links to OOH.)

The following list of Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant Studies-related degrees continues our series of “Affordable Schools” for various bachelor’s degree programs. This includes bachelor’s degrees that are either strictly Dental Hygienist or Dental Assistant Studies or otherwise lead to either of these careers and the necessary certification. (E.g., associate-to-bachelor’s tracks, if they differ from a regular bachelor’s track.)

NOTES:

As accreditation can change or only be valid regionally, please verify accreditation of any college to which you are planning to apply.
See the “Methodology” section of the ranking list article 15 of the Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Marketing for an explanation of the process we use to rank colleges in each list.
NCES data is subject to change and some of these “affordable degrees” guides may use more recent data than described in the Methodology.
For the full list of programs covered to date, please check our School Rankings page.

15: Clayton State University

Clayton State University, University Center (source)

Clayton State University (CSU) is a public university established in 1969 as Clayton Junior College. It is part of the University System of Georgia and its main campus is located in Morrow, Georgia, about 15 miles southeast of Atlanta, GA.

CSU offers three Dental Hygienist programs — each leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). The BSDH prepares students to become registered dental hygienists (RDHs), who provide such direct-to-patient services as examinations, preventive care, oral health education, and treatment. RDHs can also be administrators, change agents, consumer advocates, researchers, or teachers. Each BSDH requires at least 120 credit-hours (approx. 48-49 courses). The full BSDH, Basic Licensure Track, features 48 hours of upper-division DH courses (incl. advanced clinical DH with field experiences, advanced periodontics, and dental management/marketing). CSU’s RDH-BSDH Completion Track is for RDHs with DH Associate degrees who want to pursue advanced practice, leadership, or sales/marketing roles. It requires a minimum of 30 hours of study. Finally, both BSDH options can be taken with Health Care Management (HCM) as a double major. HCM-related courses require at least 30 hours, possibly in addition to the BSDH’s 120. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 33%.
Transfer-out rate: 27%.
In-state tuition: $5,246.
Out-of-state tuition: $15,251.
Yearly average net price: $10,898.
Student population: 7022.
# undergraduates: 6632.
Campus setting: Suburb: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A.

14: Midwestern State University

Midwestern State University (source)

Midwestern State University (MWSU) is a public university established in 1922 as Wichita Falls Junior College. It is located in Wichita Falls, Texas, about 140 miles northwest of Dallas, TX.

MWSU offers one Dental Hygienist program — its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). The BSDH prepares students for the exams needed to become licensed as registered dental hygienists and embark on careers as administrators/managers, clinicians/patient care providers, consumer advocates, educators, or researchers. Some of these positions can be with community health programs, dental practices, geriatric facilities, prisons, or post-secondary schools. The BSDH requires 120 semester-hours (approx. 36 courses), 55 of which must be completed during freshman & sophomore years before formally applying for the major. Those 55 hours include courses in American history, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, creative arts, nutrition, microbiology, and social & behavioral sciences. The 65 hours of upper-level DH courses include clinical practice (with ongoing field experience), dental health education, dental materials, histology, oral radiology, pathology, and pharmacology. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 45%.
Transfer-out rate: 27%.
In-state tuition: $7,753.
Out-of-state tuition: $9,703.
Yearly average net price: $10,172.
Student population: 5874.
# undergraduates: 5144.
Campus setting: City: Midsize.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

13: Weber State University

Weber State University, Miller administration building (source)

Weber State University is a public university established in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy. Its main campus is located in Ogden, Utah, about 30 miles roughly north of Salt Lake City, UT, and about 310 miles southeast of Boise, Idaho.

Weber State offers two Dental Hygienist programs. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH) serves as a completion program for registered dental hygienists with an Associate’s degree (incl. Weber’s own Associate of Science/AS in DH). BSDH graduates can become administrators, clinicians, product/sales reps, researchers, or teachers in such settings as armed services, community health programs, corporations, dental clinics, or educational institutions. In total, the BSDH requires 120 credit-hours (approx. 45 courses), with about 88 coming from an Associate’s degree. Senior-year dental science courses account for 7 hours (comprising advanced community/clinical work experience, evidence-based DH practice, and a thesis). The remaining 25 or so hours consist of supporting courses and upper-division electives. Finally, Weber’s 88-hour ASDH not only prepares students for the BSDH, but for state licensing and DH careers (which focus on preventing dental disease through treatment services and oral health education). See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 35%.
Transfer-out rate: 17%.
In-state tuition: $5,184.
Out-of-state tuition: $13,838.
Yearly average net price: $10,005.
Student population: 25954.
# undergraduates: 25316.
Campus setting: City: Small.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

12: Indiana University-South Bend

Pedestrian bridge, Indiana University-South Bend (source)

Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB) is a public, comprehensive university established in 1916. IUSB is part of the Indiana University System and its main campus is in South Bend, Indiana, about 150 miles north of Indianapolis, IN, and around 90 miles east and slightly south of Chicago, Illinois.

IUSB offers two Dental Hygienist programs, both leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). Both prepare students for careers as licensed dental hygienists (LDHs), but with expanded career options over an Associate’s degree. This can include leadership, sales & marketing, or teaching roles in academic institutions, dental clinics, dental products/pharmaceutical companies, health/consumer advocacy groups, public health departments, or professional associations. IUSB’s Entry-Level BSDH program requires 120 credit-hours (approx. 49 courses). Students first complete the 55-hour pre-professional curriculum, then apply to enter the 65-hour professional phase (incl. courses in local anesthesia & pain control, medical & dental emergencies, practice management, preventive dentistry, and a senior-year capstone). Meanwhile, IUSB’s other BSDH option is its Degree Completion program for LDHs with an Associate’s degree. It requires a minimum of 30 hours to complete the BSDH’s 120-hour requirement. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 26%.
Transfer-out rate: 28%.
In-state tuition: $6,905.
Out-of-state tuition: $18,081.
Yearly average net price: $9,889.
Student population: 7859.
# undergraduates: 7293.
Campus setting: City: Midsize.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

11: Wichita State University

Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita State University

Wichita State University (WSU) is a public research university established in 1895 as Fairmount College. Its main campus and building complexes are located in Wichita, Kansas, about 160 miles north of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

WSU offers two Dental Hygienist programs, both leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). Both options prepare students for careers as registered dental hygienists (RDHs). This can mean providing clinical, preventive, and therapeutic care in private dental offices or specialty practices (e.g., orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics). Or, it can mean working as an administrator, advocate, researcher, sales rep, or teacher in dental products companies, government agencies, hospitals, public health programs, or schools. The full BSDH, the Entry-Level program, requires 124 hours (approx. 40 courses). Students first complete the 64-65 hour pre-professional curriculum, then apply for entry into the 59-60 hour professional curriculum (incl. courses in community oral health management, dental materials, general & oral pathology, and pain management). Finally, WSU has a 32-hour RDH to BSDH online completion program for RDHs with an Associate’s degree. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 44%.
Transfer-out rate: 32%.
In-state tuition: $7,265.
Out-of-state tuition: $15,299.
Yearly average net price: $9,843.
Student population: 14995.
# undergraduates: 11977.
Campus setting: City: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

10: West Virginia University

Woodburn Hall, West Virginia University (source)

West Virginia University (WVU) is public research university established in 1867 as the Agricultural College of West Virginia. The three sub-campuses that make up WVU’s main campus are all located in Morgantown, West Virginia, about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

WVU offers one Dental Hygienist program — its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). The BS prepares students for the exams needed to become registered dental hygienists and embark on careers as administrators, clinicians/patient care providers, educators, researchers, or sales/marketing reps. Some of these positions can be with community health programs, dental practices, dental products companies, geriatric or special needs facilities, institutions, public/private clinics, or post-secondary schools. The BS requires 136-140 credit-hours (approx. 56-57 courses), with a minimum of 38 for General Education requirements and about 21 for biomedical courses (incl. human anatomy & physiology, medical microbiology, and nutrition). DH requirements account for around 67 hours (incl. courses in anesthesia, applied pharmacology, dental materials, dental nursing, DH teaching methods, senior-year professional field experience, and senior-year independent study). See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 57%.
Transfer-out rate: 29%.
In-state tuition: $6,960.
Out-of-state tuition: $20,242.
Yearly average net price: $9,380.
Student population: 29175.
# undergraduates: 22563.
Campus setting: City: Small.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: B.

9: Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University (source)

Tennessee State University (TSU) is a public, HBCU (historically black college/university) established in 1912 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School. Its main campus is in Nashville, Tennessee, about 210 miles northeast of Memphis, TN, and some 250 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia.

TSU offers two Dental Hygienist programs. Its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH) serves as a completion program for working dental hygienists with a DH Associate’s degree, or as a continuation of TSU’s own Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in DH. BSDH graduates can pursue such career opportunities as becoming an administrator, clinician, product/sales rep, researcher, or teacher in such settings as corporations, educational programs, government agencies, hospitals, or private/public clinics. In total, the BSDH requires 120 credit-hours (approx. 50 courses). For those just taking the completion curriculum, a minimum of 41 hours is required, and includes a teaching practicum and a DH externship. TSU’s 79-hour AAS in DH prepares students for the BSDH, but also for national & regional boards to gain state licensing and pursue DH careers. In a clinical setting, dental hygienists can administer local anesthetics, apply sealants, clean teeth, educate patients, and provide dietary counseling. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 42%.
Transfer-out rate: 9%.
In-state tuition: $6,930.
Out-of-state tuition: $19,650.
Yearly average net price: $8,888.
Student population: 9027.
# undergraduates: 7073.
Campus setting: City: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A.

8: Texas Woman’s University

Nighttime view of Old Main at Texas Woman’s University (source)

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is a public university that was established in 1901 and was first known as the Girls Industrial College. TWU’s main campus is located in Denton, Texas, some 40 miles northwest of Dallas, TX.

TWU offers three Dental Hygienist programs — each leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). The BSDH prepares students for registered dental hygienist (RDH) careers as: (a) clinical practitioners in general/specialty dental practices, hospitals, or public/community health clinics; or (b) advocates, educators, managers, program developers, researchers, or sales reps in businesses, managed care facilities, or private/community programs. Each BSDH requires 120 credit-hours (approx. 49 courses). With the full program, students must complete the 60-61 hour Pre-DH curriculum before applying to enter the 60-hour Professional curriculum (which consists of upper-level DH courses). The Dual-Enrollment DH program enables students in a partner school’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in DH program to take BSDH courses through distance education and achieve both degrees concurrently. Finally, TWU’s RDH to BSDH option allows licensed RDHs with an Associate’s degree to complete the BSDH online. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 44%.
Transfer-out rate: 37%.
In-state tuition: $7,836.
Out-of-state tuition: $18,696.
Yearly average net price: $8,596.
Student population: 15071.
# undergraduates: 9680.
Campus setting: City: Midsize.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: C+.

7: Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College campus entrance

Rhode Island College (RIC) is a public college established in 1854 as Rhode Island State Normal School. This college, the oldest public institution of higher education in the state, is located in Providence, Rhode Island, some 50 miles southwest of Boston, MA.

RIC has a single Dental Hygienist related program — its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Sciences, Dental Hygiene (DH) Completion. This completion program is designed for students who are already licensed as dental hygienists and want to expand their career options (incl. advocating for special populations, analyzing trends, managing a practice, planning & administering care programs, performing research, providing community education, or selling dental products and/or pharmaceuticals). The BS requires 93-120 credit-hours in total for graduation, including a minimum of 48 transfer credits for the dental hygienist licensure. Another 45 credit-hours go toward the degree’s 12 required courses (incl. current topics in DH, dynamics & determinants of disease, evidence-based decision-making for DH, human anatomy, human physiology, social perspectives of health, and an independent study course that can be used for a research project or an internship). See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 43%.
Transfer-out rate: n/a.
In-state tuition: $7,602.
Out-of-state tuition: $18,300.
Yearly average net price: $8,372.
Student population: 8641.
# undergraduates: 7518.
Campus setting: Suburb: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: D.

6: University of Louisiana at Monroe

Library and Conference Center, University of Louisiana at Monroe (source)

The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is a public university established in 1931 as Ouachita Parish Junior College. It is part of the University of Louisiana System and its main campus is in Monroe, Louisiana, about 270 miles northwest of New Orleans, LA, and 290 miles roughly east of Dallas, Texas.

ULM offers two Dental Hygienist programs, both leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). Both BSDH options prepare students for careers as registered dental hygienists (RDHs), including as clinicians who administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, apply preventative agents, examine oral tissues for disease concerns, process & interpret dental x-rays, provide nutritional counseling, and provide periodontal therapy. The full BSDH option requires 120 credit-hours (approx. 48 courses), including 57 for the pre-dental hygiene part of the program. The professional DH part accounts for the remaining 63 hours (incl. courses in dental anatomy, oral histology, oral radiology, a research design capstone, a senior-year practicum, and senior-year field experience). The other BSDH option is an online completion program for working RDHs with an Associate’s degree. It requires 63-78 hours, including the curriculum from the professional DH portion of the full BSDH program. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 41%.
Transfer-out rate: n/a.
In-state tuition: $6,963.
Out-of-state tuition: $19,121.
Yearly average net price: $8,287.
Student population: 8517.
# undergraduates: 7215.
Campus setting: City: Small.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

5: Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale State College, Ward Hall (source)

Farmingdale State College (FSC) is a public college established in 1912 as the New York State School of Agriculture on Long Island. FSC is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) university system and is located on Long Island, in Farmingdale, New York, some 40 miles east of New York City, NY.

FSC offers two Dental Hygienist programs. Its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH) is a completion program for students with a DH Associate’s degree. The BSDH provides expanded knowledge in public health, research, and teaching, enabling careers with dental supply companies, developmental disability organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, or research labs. The BSDH requires about 60-61 credits (approx. 22 courses), with 27-28 for upper-level DH courses (incl. gerontology, health science research, practice management, teaching strategies, and a senior-year practicum). FSC’s 80-credit Associate in Science (AS) in DH prepares students for the BSDH, or for state licensing and careers as dental hygienists. Those careers include the six official DH roles of administrator, change agent, clinician, consumer advocate, educator, and researcher, working in armed forces centers, dental offices, geriatric facilities, hospitals, and public health agencies. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 45%.
Transfer-out rate: 34%.
In-state tuition: $7,483.
Out-of-state tuition: $17,133.
Yearly average net price: $8,146.
Student population: 8394.
# undergraduates: 8394.
Campus setting: Suburb: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: F.

4: University of Alaska Anchorage

University of Alaska Anchorage (source)

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is a public research university established in 1954 as Anchorage Community College. UAA is part of the University of Alaska System and its main campus is in Anchorage, Alaska.

UAA offers two Dental Hygienist programs and two Dental Assistant (DA) programs. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH) builds on UAA’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in DH to prepare students for opportunities in community oral health care, restorative DH work, and teaching. Overall, the BSDH requires 120 credits (approx. 42 courses), with 23 for upper-division core and elective courses (incl. a community dental health capstone and options such as individual research, preventive & therapeutic nutrition, and restorative techniques). UAA’s 72.5-credit AAS in DH prepares students for the BSDH, or state licensing and careers as administrators, clinicians, educators, program developers, researchers, and sales managers. UAA’s 34-credit certificate in Dental Assisting and 60-credit AAS in Dental Assisting both prepare students for national DA certification and jobs in general or specialty dental practices, government facilities, hospitals, insurance companies, and universities/colleges. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 25%.
Transfer-out rate: n/a.
In-state tuition: $5,494.
Out-of-state tuition: $16,466.
Yearly average net price: $7,715.
Student population: 17151.
# undergraduates: 16291.
Campus setting: City: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: F.

3: Augusta University

Georgia Regents University, Allgood Hall (source)

Augusta University (AU), formerly known as Georgia Regents University (GRU), is a public university formed from a recent merger with Georgia Health Sciences University (GHSU). GRU itself was established in 1828 as the Medical Academy of Georgia. AU is part of the University System of Georgia and its main and secondary campuses are located in Augusta, Georgia, about 150 miles east and slightly south of Atlanta, GA.

AU offers two Dental Hygienist programs, both leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). Both BSDH options prepare students for careers as registered dental hygienists (RDHs), practicing under licensed dentists in public and/or private settings, and providing a range of oral health services, from patient education, preventive care, and treatment, to nutritional advice and smoking/tobacco cessation referrals. The full BSDH is a 2+2 program where students complete their final two years at GRU. Overall, the full BSDH requires 129 hours (approx. 46 courses), with 65 for upper-year DH courses (incl. head & neck anatomy, pathology, patient care, pharmacology, practice management, radiology, and a field experience practicum). The BSDH – Degree Completion Track is a minimum 30-34 hour completion program offered online for working RDHs with an Associate’s degree. It has a total requirement of 124 hours of study. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 30%.
Transfer-out rate: 15%.
In-state tuition: $7,326.
Out-of-state tuition: $21,130.
Yearly average net price: $7,667.
Student population: 7988.
# undergraduates: 5225.
Campus setting: City: Midsize.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

2: College of Southern Nevada

College of Southern Nevada, Cheyenne campus (source)

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is public college established in 1971 as Clark County Community College. It is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education and has three main campuses in the metropolitan area of Las Vegas, Nevada.

CSN offers two Dental Hygienist programs and one Dental Assistant (DA) program. Its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH) prepares working dental hygienists (and students with a DH Associate’s degree) for diversified career opportunities, including in education, management, public health, and research. The BS builds on each student’s Associate’s degree to total 120 credits (approx. 48 courses), with 10 for upper-division core requirements (incl. courses in leadership, public health, and teaching methodologies). Another 6 credits are for one of two specialty tracks (Education or Public Health); each features a capstone seminar. CSN’s 88-credit Associate of Science (AS) in DH prepares students to sit for national & regional DH boards, gain their licenses, and work in dental offices promoting oral health & wellness, and/or providing “preventive & educational services in hospitals, military installations, and schools.” Finally, CSN’s 32-credit certificate in Dental Assisting prepares students for national DA certification. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 9%.
Transfer-out rate: 15%.
In-state tuition: $2,700.
Out-of-state tuition: $9,345.
Yearly average net price: $7,618.
Student population: 35943.
# undergraduates: 35943.
Campus setting: City: Large.
Campus housing avail.: No.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: C.

1: Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University campus (source)

Utah Valley University (UVU), Utah’s largest public university, was established in 1941 as Central Utah Vocational School. It is located in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south and slightly east of Salt Lake City, UT.

UVU offers five Dental Hygienist programs; four based on its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dental Hygiene (DH). The BSDH is a completion program designed for working DH professionals who already have a DH Associate’s degree. Students can complete courses online to improve DH knowledge, prepare for advanced degrees, or diversify into one of the BSDH’s four 12-credit areas of emphasis: Business, Education, Integrative Practice, or Public Health. The BS builds on each student’s Associate’s degree to total 120 credits (approx. 45 courses). Seventy (70) of those are for the discipline core (incl. courses in advanced DH public health, dental pharmacology, general & oral pathology, periodontology, a senior-year internship, and a senior-year capstone). Meanwhile, UVU’s 81-credit Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in DH serves as both an entry into the BSDH and into a career as a dental hygienist, since the AAS prepares students to take both national & regional DH boards and apply for state licensing. See site for additional requirements/details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 31%.
Transfer-out rate: 25%.
In-state tuition: $5,270.
Out-of-state tuition: $14,802.
Yearly average net price: $6,766.
Student population: 31332.
# undergraduates: 31163.
Campus setting: City: Small.
Campus housing avail.: No.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: B.