The cost of a dental education depends on many factors, and devoting time now to planning how you will pay for dental school is just as important as applying.
Costs to Consider
For dental hygiene, tuition costs depend on the level and type of program you are considering.
According to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the average estimated total cost (In-State/District) of tuition and fees for:
- An associate degree is $22,692.
- A baccalaureate degree is $36,382.
- A master’s degree is $30,421.
*Please keep in mind these numbers represent an average. Program costs at community colleges may be lower than programs offered by four year institutions.
Besides tuition and fees, students interested in applying to dental hygiene programs should consider other costs, such as:
- Books and supplies,
- Room and board,
- Transportation,
- Personal expenses,
- Medical insurance, and
- Dental hygiene instrument rentals and purchases.
Budgeting
When determining how to best finance a dental hygiene education, consider what expenses you may have some control over (for example, living, transportation and personal expenses) compared with what you do not have any control over (for example, tuition and fees), and focus on the former items when looking for ways to reduce your costs.