Dental Hygiene Degree in Medford, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Dental Hygiene degree analysis for Medford, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$83K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Medford
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Dental Hygiene in Medford, OR Overview
While Medford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Dental Hygiene students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,881/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 Medford is approximately $55,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,326/yr
Private Tuition
$41,865/yr
Room & Board
$14,881/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,464/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
67%
Dental Hygiene Salary in Medford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Medford's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Dental Hygiene salary: $50,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Medford adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Dental Hygiene ROI Calculator for Medford
Estimate your return on investment for a Dental Hygiene degree using local Medford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,326 | Private avg: $41,865
Medford avg aid: $14,464/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Medford
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Medford
$476,372
Lifetime earnings premium ($577,200) minus total education cost ($100,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Dental Hygiene in Medford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Medford for Dental Hygiene
Southern Oregon University
public
$10,326/yr
$41,304 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rogue Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Dental Hygiene in Medford
Medford offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Dental Hygiene graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Medford Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Dental Hygiene Job Titles
Dental Hygiene in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Medford
Pharmacy
$56K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$75K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$56K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$56K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$56K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene Degree in Medford — 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 Medford.