With a median annual salary for a medical assistant hovering around $38,000 in the United States, this sector of the healthcare industry is expected to continue its trajectory of growth upward as a high-demand career. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this growth is fueled by three key factors:
- an increase in the elderly population
- continued advances and innovations in technology
- an expected increase in the number of outpatient and physician offices
Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant
There are specific requirements that you must meet before you can obtain employment as a medical assistant (MA) or certified medical assistant (CMA). If you want to become a medical assistant, there are two routes that you can typically take. With the first, you can obtain certificate that encompasses one year of coursework. A second option is to complete the requirements of an accredited school and obtain an associate degree in medical assisting.
Duties of a Medical Assistant
The primary duties of a medical assistant typically span two broad areas: clinical and administrative. The clinical part of this job usually involves activities such as obtaining and accurately recording a patient’s medical history, making preparations so the patient can be examined, administering medications as directed by a doctor and drawing blood. On the administrative end of responsibilities, a medical assistant can expect to maintain medical records, schedule appointments and input both billing and coding information appropriately for the purposes of reimbursement by the insurance company.
Finding the Right Medical Assistant Schools Online
If you are like most adults these days, you have multiple responsibilities. These could include a full-time job, volunteer commitments and family demands. An affordable medical assistant program that fits into your schedule could seem like an aspiration that cannot possibly come to fruition. Online medical assistant schools, though typically allow you to complete your coursework anytime you have a free moment to do so — just as long as you meet the set deadlines of your instructors. You might also have wondered how much is medical assistant school. We have compiled a list of the most affordable educational facilities that offer online medical assistant programs for your convenience.
Here are the Top Affordable Online Medical Assistant Programs for 2023
1. Kaplan University
Kaplan University has a long and rich history of providing a range of nursing programs that are designed to meet the needs of busy adult students who must juggle several hats at once. Their family nurse practitioner program enables students in select states to obtain a certificate online. Designed for those students who are already professional nurses, Kaplan University offers rolling admission dates and is considered by many in the industry to offer one of the top medical assisting programs within the country.
- Credit hours: 60 hours
- Admission requirements: this is a post-master’s program
- Tuition: $23,100 for the entire program
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
2. National American University Online
At National American University Online (NAU), students can choose from 55 programs, included two closely related associate degrees in applied science — medical assisting and medical administrative assistant. NAU offers very attractive benefits to both active duty and separated military personnel. In addition to tuition cuts for service members, NAU also offers tuition assistance to their family members as well.
- Length of Program: 104 weeks
- Admission requirements: Completed admission application, graduation from high school or holder of a GED and transcript from an accredited institution in higher learning in the United States
- Tuition: $35,137 tuition and $3,600 for books and supplies
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
3. Concordia University
The medical assistant program offered at Concordia University is one that is faith-based and designed to equip its graduates with the skills they need to tackle both the clinical and administrative tasks they will face during their careers. Not only are students able to gain mastery of the procedures necessary to navigate a diverse set of face-to-face interactions, they can enjoy doing so within the flexibility of an online program.
- Credit hours: 46 hours
- Admission requirements: Enroll any time
- Tuition: $12,880 for the entire program
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
4. Orion College
At Orion College, students are exposed to a wide breadth of diverse class offerings that are designed to provide them with the knowledge they need to be competent medical assistants. Some of the classes that are required include algebra, American literature and psychology. These are in addition to medically oriented classes like clinical procedures, pharmacology for medical assistants and anatomy and physiology.
- Length of program: 16 months
- Admission requirements: Successful background check, drug test and scores on entrance exams
- Tuition: $25,562 for the program
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
5. University College at Azusa Pacific University
Since 1899, University College at Azusa Pacific University has been offering a faith-based approach to programs for its students. By integrating both knowledge and faith, Azusa Pacific University provides the framework for its students to make sound professional decisions and ethical evaluations from a standpoint that honors their faith. Offering both associate and bachelor degrees option, University College can have students ready to hit the job market in as little as one year.
- Program Units: 70 hours
- Admission requirements: 2.0 GPA and complete online application
- Tuition: $24,000
- Accreditation: Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC)
6. Pinnacle Career Institute
At Pinnacle Career Institute, students can prepare for a variety of careers including that of a medical assistant. With classes available on campus at their locations in Lawrence, North Kansas City and South Kansas City, as well as online, Pinnacle Career Institute provides a supportive and forward-thinking environment for its students. After the online aspect is completed, students attend a week-long boot camp to complete their certifications.
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admission requirements: Complete an interview, online application and provide transcripts
- Tuition: $16,105
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Schools and Colleges (ACISC)
7. Rasmussen College
At Rasmussen College, they offer a variety of educational programs that can lead to employment within some of the most in-demand careers of today. One of the most popular is their medical administrative assistant certificate. Their curriculum allows for exploration of the healthcare environment, an overview of medical terminology, office management basics and more. While their tuition is affordable at just over $10,000, Rasmussen College also offers loans, grants and scholarship opportunities to provide more students with the ability to improve their lives.
- Program Length: as little as 9 months
- Admission requirements: Complete an online exam, placement exam and TEAS exam
- Tuition: $10,764
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCACSTHLC)
8. Nebraska Methodist College
At Nebraska Methodist College, their medical assisting program helps prepare students with an interest in healthcare for a vibrant and exciting career that is highly in demand. A 12-month long certificate program, it combines a hands-on component with the convenience of online learning to deliver the knowledge and skills they need to successfully schedule appointments, prepare specimens, impart patient information and more.
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admission requirements: Minimum 2.0 GPA, NMC graduate application, $25 application fee, written personal statement
- Tuition: $13,018
9. Laramie County Community College
At Laramie County Community College, students who successfully complete the required coursework online can obtain a certificate in health information technology including medical office essentials and medical claims coding associate. In as little as one semester, students can be prepared for employment within the medical field with their medical office essentials certificate. They can also choose to obtain more training and earn the medical claims coding associate certificate.
- Program Length: as little as one semester
- Admission requirements: Complete COMPASS placement tests, KUDER assessments and other requirements as dictated by the colleges
- Tuition: $13,344 in-state tuition, $17,328 out of state
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCACSTHLC)
10. Daymar College
At Daymar College, they have been helping their students reach their goals and see their dreams come to fruition for over 50 years. In order to prepare students for the fast-paced environment that is the norm when helping doctors and performing clinical duties, the curriculum at Daymar College includes 12 content areas such as pathophyisiology, medical exam procedures, phlebotomy and medical office procedures.
- Program Length: 12 areas of content
- Admission requirements: Complete interview, evaluation and enrollment contract
- Tuition: $18,000
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
11. Penn Foster
Penn Foster offers a wide range of educational options for students of various ages including high school and college programs. Their medical assistant degree provides students with the ability to obtain an associate degree from the comfort of their own home. Affordable and flexible, Penn Foster’s educational model works well for those busy adults who have many different responsibilities. The curriculum for an associate degree in medical assisting consists of 15 hours of general study classes and 50 hours of core credit classes for a total of three semesters. A variety of payment plans make Penn Foster affordable while paying for tuition upfront entitles the student to a hefty discount on the overall price.
- Program Length: 65 credit hours
- Admission requirements: High school diploma or GED
- Tuition: $79 per credit hour for the first two semesters; semester 3 is free.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
12. Charter College
Once a student completes their degree from Charter College, they are ready to gain employment as a medical office administrative assistant in a setting such as an insurance company, hospital or medical office. Students will enjoy hands-on learning opportunities in procedures that take the current industry benchmarks into consideration as well as computer programs that focus on medical office protocol.
- Program Length: 10 months, Fast Track
- Admission requirements: Enrollment agreement, personal interview and high school diploma
- Tuition: $18,313
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
13. Grand Canyon University
Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon University has been providing its students with an education steeped in both faith and the latest in innovations since 1949. With a rigorous curriculum that prepares its students for the ever-evolving challenges of the medical field, Grand Canyon University supports them from the time they enter the program until long after graduation in the form of job placement assistance.
- Program Length: BS in Healthcare Administration
- Admission requirements: Must be at least 16 years of age. Contact representative for next steps
- Tuition: $17,000
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
14. Herzing University
At Herzing University, students can effectively prepare for a challenging and rewarding medical career as a medical assistant. People who excel in this type of career have excellent people skills, can handle wounds and blood, can multi-task and are supportive, kind and compassionate. When coupled with the convenience of obtaining this type of education online, Herzing University enables students to realize their dreams in a flexible and engaging manner. Herzing University admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
- Program Length: Normal Timeframe
- Admission requirements: Meet with admissions counselor, apply online
- Tuition: $6,280
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Our Methodology for Ranking Medical Assistant Programs in 2023
Though our focus was on cheap medical assistant programs for this article, we didn’t use that as our only criteria for ranking schools. At TopMedicalAssistantSchools.com, we know that while the cost of a program is extremely important to ensure that you are getting your money’s worth, you also demand a high-quality education. The schools that we ranked here offer what we feel are the best in cheap medical assistant programs without skimping on educational quality and the services that they offer their students, such as access to financial aid, job placement and other perks.
Although we diligently checked the facts about the above-listed educational institutions, there could be items that we inadvertently overlooked or omitted. Please contact us to let us know as soon as possible. Similarly, if you know of a college or university that offers affordable medical assistant programs that we did not list above, we want to hear from you!
