Dental Hygiene Degree in Franklin, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Dental Hygiene degree analysis for Franklin, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Franklin
Cost of Living
118.5
index (100 = avg)
Dental Hygiene in Franklin, TN Overview
While Franklin has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Dental Hygiene students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,807/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Dental Hygiene enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Oral Assessment and Periodontal Therapy. The adjusted starting salary in Franklin is approximately $59,250.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,100/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,807/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,962/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Dental Hygiene Salary in Franklin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Franklin's cost of living index of 118.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Dental Hygiene salary: $50,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Franklin adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Dental Hygiene ROI Calculator for Franklin
Estimate your return on investment for a Dental Hygiene degree using local Franklin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,100 | Private avg: $32,000
Franklin avg aid: $15,962/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,628
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,775
vs HS diploma in Franklin
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Franklin
$512,572
Lifetime earnings premium ($616,200) minus total education cost ($103,628)
Student Loan Payoff for Dental Hygiene in Franklin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Franklin for Dental Hygiene
Franklin State University
public
$10,603/yr
$42,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Franklin Community College
$5,615/yr
Top Employers for Dental Hygiene in Franklin
Franklin offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Dental Hygiene graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Franklin Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Dental Hygiene Job Titles
Dental Hygiene in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Franklin
Pharmacy
$59K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$81K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$59K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$59K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$59K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene Degree in Franklin — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Dental Hygiene ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Franklin.