Around 0.1% of Georgia's graduates graduate from dental hygiene degree programs every year. In other words, every year an estimated 232 dental hygienists graduate from Georgia's 15 dental hygienist schools.

Top Schools

The top-ranked school in Georgia with a dental hygienist program is Armstrong Atlantic State University, which is located in Savannah. In 2010, it was ranked 44th nationwide. 21 students graduated with a degree in dental hygienist from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2010. Tuition at Armstrong Atlantic State University was $4,510 per year.

The second-ranked school in Georgia with a dental hygienist program is Medix College, which is located in Smyrna. In 2010, it was ranked 72nd nationwide. 0 students graduated with degree in dental hygienist from Medix College in 2010.

Clayton State University, which was ranked 72nd nationwide in 2010, is the third-ranked school in Georgia that has a dental hygienist program. It is located in Morrow. In 2010, Clayton State University graduated 30 students from its dental hygienist programs. The tuition rate at Clayton State University was $4,566 per year.

Cost

If you are hoping to attend one of Georgia's dental hygienist schools, you can expect to pay an average tuition of $2,310 per year, though tuition can range from $4,566 per year to $1,863 per year. The highest tuition rates in 2010 at Georgia dental hygienist schools were charged at the following schools:

1. Clayton State University - located in Morrow, students are charged $4,566 per year
2. Armstrong Atlantic State University - located in Savannah, students are charged $4,510 per year
3. Darton College - located in Albany, students are charged $2,714 per year

The following Georgia dental hygienist schools had the lowest tuition rates:

1. Athens Technical College - located in Athens, students are charged $1,863 per year
2. Central Georgia Technical College - located in Macon, students are charged $1,863 per year
3. Georgia Highlands College - located in Rome, students are charged $2,237 per year

A dental hygienist degree from a Georgia school... what next?

A large number of Georgia dental hygienist graduates become dental hygienists. 5,400 dental hygienists were working in Georgia in 2010. The following counties have the largest number of Georgia dental hygienists:

1. Barrow County - 3,100 dental hygienists
2. Burke County - 350 dental hygienists
3. Bibb County - 260 dental hygienists

Projected Growth

According the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the number of dental hygienists is expected to grow by 36% by 2018. There are projected to be 8,650 dental hygienists working in the Georgia then.

Salary

On average, a dental hygienist earns a salary of $65,570 per year in Georgia state. But, salaries for dental hygienists can vary. In 2010, dental hygienists made as little as less than $28,550 per year or as much as more than $91,780 per year in Georgia. A dental hygienist in the following Georgia counties makes the highest salaries on average:

1. Barrow County - $72,510 per year
2. Banks County - $64,810 per year
3. Floyd County - $63,780 per year

The following counties in Georgia have the lowest average salaries for dental hygienists:

1. Appling County - $42,940 per year
2. Baker County - $48,390 per year
3. Baldwin County - $52,020 per year

More Information

The charts and graphs below have additional Georgia statistics regarding a career in dental hygiene. Take a look and compare salaries with various related fields such as health science or medical assisting.