2023 Most Affordable Online Dental Hygiene Programs

Clayton State University (CSU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Totaling 120 credit hours, this online degree program typically takes full-time students four years to complete. Overall, CSU accepts 69% of applicants and has a 40% graduation rate.

At CSU, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. The dental hygiene program aims to deliver associate-level training to aspiring dental hygienists. Some of the program courses include Nutrition, Dental Anatomy, and Clinical Pharmacology. Graduates may pursue careers like dental hygienists, safety managers, and office managers.

Wichita State University (WSU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, which requires 32 credit hours. This RDH to BSDH program can take students as few as 15 months to complete when enrolled full time. WSU's acceptance rate is 80%, with 50% of students graduating from the university.

WSU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via Blackboard's learning management system. This dental hygiene program aims to help dental hygienists earn credentials to expand their career options or prepare them for graduate school. Sample coursework includes Issues in Dental Hygiene, Special Care Populations, and Foundations of Advanced Professional Roles. A student must complete an applied learning experience in order to graduate. Some potential job outlooks for program graduates include program directors, health educators, or healthcare managers.

At Georgia Highlands College (GHC) — a public institution — students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene totaling 90 credit hours. Remote students can complete this RDH to BSDH program within four years if they maintain a full-time schedule. GHC accepts all applicants, but perhaps because of this, they only have a 20% graduation rate.

At GHC, remote students complete coursework, both asynchronously and synchronously, on the digital learning platform D2L Brightspace. The dental hygiene curriculum is designed for licensed dental hygienists who want to further their careers. Some of the program’s courses include Current Concepts in Dental Hygiene, Foundations of Research, and Healthcare Education. Importantly, students must complete an in-person internship, which can be facilitated locally. Graduates may pursue careers like health educator, pharmacy technician, and dental hygiene instructor.

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is a public institution that offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene - Post-licensure totaling 128 credit hours. The RDH to BSDH program is offered through UNM Online and usually takes full-time students four years to finish. UNM has a high acceptance rate of 96% and a 52% graduation rate.

UNM facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through Canvas. The program’s curriculum expands upon the skills students acquired during their associate-level dental hygiene program. Some of the core courses include Dental Hygiene Business Principles, Teaching Strategies, and Advocacy and Leadership. Online students are also required to take a U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion course before graduation. Potential job outlooks for graduates are researchers, dental treatment coordinators, and dental hygiene instructors.

St. Petersburg College (SPC) is a public school offering an online Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Full-time students can expect to spend at least four years completing this program. Overall, SPC has a 100% acceptance rate, with a 33% graduation rate. According to SPC, this program is Florida’s only dental hygiene bachelor’s degree that's offered completely online.

SPC’s online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on MyCourses, the school's digital learning platform. The dental hygiene curriculum helps students develop the skills to broaden their career opportunities. Sample core coursework includes Advanced Periodontics, Leadership in Dental Hygiene, and Community Health and Epidemiology. Additionally, a 14-week capstone course is required for graduation. Alumni may pursue a range of careers, such as medical coding specialists, dental office managers, and dental sales representatives.

At Ferris State University (FSU), a public institution, prospective students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene totaling 120 credit hours. Students can expect to spend four years completing this program. FSU accepts 82% of applicants, and it has a 58% graduation rate.

FSU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online classes through Canvas, encouraging students to develop critical thinking and leadership skills as they relate to the field of dental hygiene. The program’s core courses include Periodontics, Pain Management, and Dental Hygiene Practice. Before graduation, students must also complete labs, a practicum, and a capstone course. Potential job opportunities for program alumni are dental hygiene instructors, dental consultants, and medical writers.

Upper Iowa University (UIU) is a private nonprofit institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration - Dental Hygiene. Totaling 120 credit hours, this remote degree usually takes full-time students about four years to complete. UIU’s acceptance rate is 65%, and its graduation rate is 50%.

At UIU, students complete coursework in both asynchronous and synchronous formats on the platform, D2L Brightspace. A health services administration curriculum helps dental hygiene students develop skills in business management, human resources, and human services. Sample coursework includes Teaching Methodology, Population Health Management, and Health Services Administration. Graduates may pursue careers such as health policy analysts, senior living managers, and clinic managers.

Utah Valley University (UVU) is a public institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene online, which requires 121 credit hours. It takes full-time students at least four years to complete the program. The university has a 100% acceptance rate and a slightly low graduation rate of 38%.

UVU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Canvas. Through this learning management system, the dental hygiene bachelor’s program advances students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to help further their career opportunities. Some of the program’s coursework includes Dental Materials, Dental Pharmacology, and Pain Management. Potential job opportunities for graduates are dental hygienist instructors, office managers, and dental treatment coordinators.

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene that requires 63 credit hours. Students with an associate degree can complete this RDH to BSDH program within a year. As a whole, TWU’s acceptance rate is 94%, and the university has a 55% graduation rate.

TWU facilitates synchronous online learning through Canvas, and the dental hygiene program helps licensed dental hygienists expand their knowledge and skills in order to pursue mid- to senior-level career opportunities. The program’s core courses include Dental Hygiene, Orofacial Biology, and Dental Materials. Students must also complete labs, a seminar, and a practicum. Potential job opportunities for graduates include dental sales representatives, dental hygiene instructors, and medical coding specialists.

Ohio State University - Main Campus (OSU) is a public institution where students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Totaling 120 credit hours, the degree program can take four to five years to complete with a full-time schedule. OSU’s acceptance rate is 68%, and it has a 77% graduation rate.

OSU’s online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on CarmenCanvas. The program’s fully remote curriculum is designed for licensed dental hygienists who want to further their education in the profession. Sample coursework includes Periodontal Therapy, Research Methods and Interpretation, and Practice Management. Graduates may pursue careers like dental hygiene instructors, health educators, and dental office managers.