Dental Hygiene Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Preventive oral healthcare including teeth cleaning, examination, and patient education.
Starting Salary
$60K
median
Mid-Career
$75K
salary
ROI Payback
3 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
1%
rate
Dental Hygiene Overview
Preventive oral healthcare including teeth cleaning, examination, and patient education.
Category
Healthcare
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
85%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
5%
Lifetime Premium
$520K
Female Graduates
95%
Dental Hygiene Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,750
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,750
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$504,250
Lifetime earnings premium ($520,000) minus net degree cost ($15,750)
Dental Hygiene Salary Progression
Common Dental Hygiene Careers
Dental Hygienist
Public Health Dental Hygienist
Clinical Educator
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Dental Hygiene
#1
University of Michigan
#2
UNC Chapel Hill
#3
University of Minnesota
#4
Idaho State
#5
Oregon Health & Science
Related Majors
Dental Hygiene Degree FAQ
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