The following list of Dental Hygiene Schools in California are accredited and award varying levels of degrees in Dental Hygiene. Programs are ranked using a matrix of cost, faculty to student ratio, graduation rate, and levels of degrees offered at the school. Programs that are more affordable will be ranked higher, along with programs with a low faculty to student ratio. Schools with a high graduation rate will rank higher as well as schools that offer higher levels of degrees in dental hygiene.
Here are the Top Dental Hygiene Schools in California
1. University of Southern California (Points: 16)
A private research institution, the University of Southern California was established in 1880 and is the oldest private institution in California. Students seeking to become dental hygienists will find USC to be one of the few institutions to offer a comprehensive Bachelor’s of Science in Dental Hygiene. The dental program has been preparing and graduating dental students for over 80 years. The faculty is renowned and teaches the most current methods using the latest technology and imaging. Students of the dental hygiene program have the benefit of learning from and with those in other dental programs within the School of Dentistry.
At A Glance
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Resident Tuition: $58,195
- Non-Resident Tuition: $58,195
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 8 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degree Awarded: BS in Dental Hygiene, MS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 91.5%
2. University of the Pacific (Points: 14)
A private institution, the University of the Pacific was established in 1851 and is affiliated with the Methodist church. Students seeking a dental degree at the University of the Pacific will have access to state of the art facilities, a dental clinic right on campus, as well as expert faculty to mentor them throughout their time earning a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. This program is an accelerated three year program with a broad curriculum that covers the liberal arts as well as dental hygiene coursework. This program is highly selective and applicants need to have taken chemistry, math, and biology in high school or at another college prior to applying.
At A Glance
- Location: Stockton, California
- Resident Tuition: $49,588
- Non-Resident Tuition: $49,588
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 14 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degree Awarded: BS in Science
- Graduation Rate: 71.3%
3. West Coast University (Points: 12)
West Coast University is a private for-profit institution that focuses on awarded degrees in healthcare. West Coast University operates three campuses in California in the following locations; Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Ontario. The Dental Hygiene program can be completed in as little as 34 months. Students have access to an advanced simulation lab, a dental clinic, and career assistance. Students gain the skills they need through hands-on experiences in the dental clinic. Completion of this program allows students to work as dental hygienists, clinicians, researchers, and as administrators.
At A Glance
- Location: Orange County (Anaheim), California
- Resident Tuition: $22,685
- Non-Resident Tuition: $22,685
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 20 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degree Awarded: BS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 68.5%
4. San Joaquin Valley College (Points: 12)
San Joaquin Valley College is a private, for-profit college that operates 15 campuses throughout California as well as an online division. Students seeking a career as dental hygienists can complete the coursework required to earn an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene in as little as 16 months. Students learn how to utilize intraoral cameras, hand and ultrasonic instruments, digital and traditional X-ray equipment, and much more. Students enjoy small class sizes and comprehensive instruction. SJVC is known to have high pass rates on both the National and Clinical Board Licensure exams.
At A Glance
- Location: Visalia, California
- Resident Tuition: $15,900
- Non-Resident Tuition: $15,900
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 19 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 54.8%
5. Foothill College (Points: 12)
A public community college, Foothill College was founded in 1957 and has been training dental hygienists since 1964. Foothill College offers two paths to earning a BS in Dental Hygiene, an entry level BS in Dental Hygiene that is designed for students with no previous college or experience in the field and an AS to BS in Dental Hygiene that is designed for students that already hold an associate degree of science in dental hygiene. The first requires 107 credit hours to complete while the latter can be completed entirely online while students maintain current professional obligations. The AS to BS is a fabulous option for those desiring to advance their degree and career opportunities while they continue working as dental hygienists.
At A Glance
- Location: Los Altos Hills, California
- Resident Tuition: $1,563
- Non-Resident Tuition: $9,528
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 26 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: BS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 12.7%
6. Santa Rosa Junior College (Points: 12)
A public community college, Santa Rosa College awards numerous Associate degrees across varied fields of study. Those seeking to become licensed dental hygienists will find an accredited and comprehensive two year program that will prepare students with the knowledge and skills to pass both the regional and national examinations. Boasting a 100% pass rate over two decades, students can rest assured that they will earn their licensure. It is recommended that students applying for the dental hygiene program complete their general courses prior to applying to the program. Once accepted in the program, students will take courses full-time for five semesters. Students will gain hands-on experience and build their skills in the dental clinic on campus as well as throughout the community.
At A Glance
- Location: Santa Rosa, California
- Resident Tuition: $1,324
- Non-Resident Tuition: $8,170
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 20 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 28%
7. Diablo Valley College (Points: 10)
A public community college, Diablo Valley College was founded in 1949. Students seeking to become dental hygienists can earn an Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene in two years. Students will need to attend full-time on campus for their coursework. Upon completion of the coursework that include general education courses and core courses, students can take both the National and Regional Dental Hygiene Exams. To increase students’ confidence in skills they learn they will have the opportunity to participate in externships at either the Native American Health Clinic or La Clinica. It is strongly recommended that students seeking to apply to this program complete courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and algebra prior to applying to this program.
At A Glance
- Location: Pleasant Hill, California
- Resident Tuition: $1.312
- Non-Resident Tuition: $8,564
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 12.5 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 100%
8. Taft College (Points: 10)
A public community college, Taft College is a member of the California Community Colleges system. Graduates of the dental hygiene program are employed in various dental facilities throughout the area and some have even gone into the research and education field of dental hygiene. Students of this program will participate in 4 sequential semesters of courses that prepare students with the knowledge and practical skills for passing the regional and national exams. Courses that students will take include patient assessment, patient monitoring, record keeping, as well as the practical skills of dental hygiene. Students will learn the ethics and laws that are relevant to a career in dental hygiene.
At A Glance
- Location: Taft, California
- Resident Tuition: $1,104
- Non-Resident Tuition: $6,192
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 20 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 99%
9. Concorde Career College (Points: 10)
Concorde Career College is a career focussed college that prepares students for careers in the healthcare industry. Concorde Career College operates numerous campuses across eight states, including three in California. Four campuses are in operation in California; San Bernardino, San Diego, Garden Grove, and North Hollywood. Three of these campuses offer the Dental Hygiene program complete with labs, resource centers, and a clinic. The program can be completed in 17 months if students attend full-time. Students will learn how to conduct extraoral and intraoral exams, periodontal and dental exams, and patient assessment. Students will also gain practical skills training through the labs and clinic under supervision of instructors.
At A Glance
- Location: Garden City, California
- Resident Tuition: Contact School
- Non-Resident Tuition: Contact School
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 18 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 76%
10. Southwestern College (Points: 10)
A public community college, Southwestern College was established in 1961. Southwestern College is known for its inclusive and diverse student body, this lends a strength to students that will be serving patients of diverse cultures and backgrounds in the dental field. The Dental Hygiene program offers an Associate Degree of Science in Dental Hygiene. Students can expect to take two years to complete the program while attending full-time. Courses taken will include clinical concepts, dental radiography, oral anatomy, periodontics, pain control, dental pharmacology, and more. Upon completion of the program students can confidently take the regional and national exams for licensure.
At A Glance
- Location: Chula Vista, California
- Resident Tuition: $1,340
- Non-Resident Tuition: $7,472
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 22 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 17.8%
11. Carrington College (Points: 10)
Carrington College is a for-profit institution that operates 19 campuses throughout the western United States including seven campuses in California. The following campuses offer the dental hygiene program: CItrus Heights, Ontario, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, and Stockton. Carrington is known for their healthcare programs and the well-trained and knowledgeable graduates that come from their programs. The Dental Hygiene program is no different. Students learn skills based knowledge in sequential order as they learn how to clean and scale teeth, remove plaque and stains, take oral x-rays, and keep accurate records. Prior to applying for this program students will need to complete prerequisite coursework at an accredited institution.
At A Glance
- Location: Multiple locations across California
- Resident Tuition: $18,163
- Non-Resident Tuition: $18,163
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 15 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 45.9%
12. Sacramento City College (Points: 10)
A public community college, Sacramento City College enrolls approximately 26K students annually. Students desiring to enroll in the Dental Hygiene program are strongly recommended to take courses in algebra, chemistry, and biology in high school. The program consists of general education courses, 39.5 credits worth as well as 45.5 credits in their core dental hygiene courses. Upon completion of the coursework students are eligible and prepared to pass the regional and national licensing exams. Students will also gain skills necessary for their career in labs as well as the on campus dental clinic.
At A Glance
- Location: Sacramento, California
- Resident Tuition: $1,104
- Non-Resident Tuition: $8,928
- Faculty to Student Ratio:25 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 15.3%
13. Cabrillo College (Points: 10)
A public community college, Cabrillo College was founded in 1959 and has grown to enroll approximately 12,00- students annually. The dental hygiene program began in 1967 and boasts a 100% pass rate on the licensing exams. With that pass rate, students can expect a high quality program that they can be confident will prepare them for success in their career. The program runs in a cohort style with 22 students being admitted yearly. The program takes two years to complete and students will need to expect to attend full time, Monday through Friday. Courses will cover a broad knowledge base including oral anatomy, oral health education, dental radiography, knowledge of dental materials, and more. They also offer top programs in many other areas of Public Health and Safety and other Career Academic Pathways.
At A Glance
- Location: Aptos, California
- Resident Tuition: $1,270
- Non-Resident Tuition: $7,462
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 21 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 17.6%
14. Chabot College (Points: 10)
A public community college, Chabot College opened its dental hygiene program in 1968. For the past four years students have had 100% pass rates on their licensing exams. With courses in clinical dental hygiene, dental radiology, general and oral pathology, and other, students have been well prepared with both the knowledge and the skills to be successful dental hygienists. With regular review of the program, students can know they are receiving the most current methods and practices in their field of study that are being used by current hygienists. The program takes two years of full-time study to complete.
At A Glance
- Location: Hayward, California
- Resident Tuition: $1,144
- Non-Resident Tuition: $7,912
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 26 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 15.2%
15. Fresno City College (Points: 10)
A public community college, Fresno City College is a member of California’s Community College system. Students enrolling in the Dental Hygiene program will be admitted yearly in a cohort format where they will move through course and labs sequentially along with their peers in their cohort. Students will learn through coursework in oral biology, oral radiology, oral pathology, local anesthesia, pharmacology, and more. Students will also gain necessary skills through clinical rotations at affiliated clinical sites within the community. Students must complete all coursework with a minimum of a “C” to graduate.
At A Glance
- Location: Fresno, California
- Resident Tuition: $1,304
- Non-Resident Tuition: $7,664
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 44 to 1
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Degrees Awarded: AS in Dental Hygiene
- Graduation Rate: 19.4%
