This list of the top 50 affordable medical assisting schools shows where you can go in America to get the best education for your buck. All of the schools on this list are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), one of the best accreditation boards for medical programs in the United States. You may be able to find cheaper degree programs that are not accredited, but you will not get the same quality of education.
We’ve updated the list of the top affordable medical assistant schools for 2018.
These medical assisting schools are ranked based on their total estimated annual costs, which includes in-state tuition, books, fees, and more. If you do not live in the state the school is located in, add the difference between the in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition to the total cost.
For information about how we gathered our medical assisting school statistics and other information, please refer to the resources section at the bottom of the page.
1 – Pima Community College
Located in Tuscan, Arizona, this school offers a great certificate of medical assisting program. Pima Community College only has a graduation rate of 12%, which is low for this list. With 29,319 students in the school, you should have no trouble being accepted if you decide to apply. With the cheapest total annual cost in the country, PCC is definitely a school worth considering.
- Total annual cost: $6,087
- In-state tuition: $1,652
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,784
- Degrees: Certificate
2 – Haywood Community College
Haywood Community College offers an associate of science in medical assisting, which takes about two years to complete. The campus is located in Clyde, North Carolina, and it supports approximately 2,226 students a year. HCC boasts a decent graduation rate of 23% across all of the programs it offers.
- Total annual cost: $6,126
- In-state tuition: $1,691
- Out-of-state tuition: $6,299
- Degrees: Associate’s
3 – Stanly Community College
Stanly Community College is located in Locust, North Carolina, and it has a graduation rate of 33%. The school has a little less than 3,000 students a year, which is low considering how many degree programs it has to offer. Here you can earn a diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree in medical assisting, and you have options to go beyond that when you start your career.
- Total annual cost: $6,210
- In-state tuition: $1,775
- Out-of-state tuition: $6,383
- Degrees: Diploma, Certificate, Associate’s
4 – Davidson County Community College
In the heart of Lexington, North Carolina lies Davidson County Community College. DCCC only offers a diploma of medical assisting, but it has a graduation rate of 32%. With 4,159 students, the school is far from large. Nevertheless, it does have all the training you need to start a career.
- Total annual cost: $6,221
- In-state tuition: $1,786
- Out-of-state tuition: $6,394
- Degrees: Diploma
5 – Eastern Idaho Technical College
Eastern Idaho Tech College is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It has a small student population of 716, but it has a great graduation rate of 57%. If you want to get an associate if science in medical assisting, this is a good school to consider.
- Total annual cost: $6,367
- In-state tuition: $1,932
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,078
- Degrees: Associate’s
6 – El Paso Community College
As the name implies, El Paso Community College is located in El Paso, Texas. It offers a certificate and associate’s degree in medical assisting, and it has an average of 32,225 students a year on its campus. The graduation rate here is only 10%, but it is still a great place to go if you want affordable medical assistant training in Texas.
- Total annual cost: $6,523
- In-state tuition: $2,088
- Out-of-state tuition: $2,736
- Degrees: Certificate, Associate’s
7 – Alamance Community College
Alamance Community College is located in Graham, North Carolina, and it has an average student population of 4,666. With a graduation rate of 25%, there is a good chance that you can make it through your medical assisting program without issues. The associate’s degree here takes about two years to complete, as long as you go to school full time.
- Total annual cost: $6,535
- In-state tuition: $2,100
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,860
- Degrees: Associate’s
8 – Craven Community College
This school is based in Newbern, North Carolina. Craven Community College has one of the lowest graduation rates on our list, but that does not make it any less of a school worth considering. If you work hard and study well, you could be one of the 7% that graduate from this school. There is an average student population here of 3,029 people, but that is liable to increase over time.
- Total annual cost: $6,546
- In-state tuition: $2,111
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,871
- Degrees: Associate’s
9 – Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is one of the better known schools on this list, located in the heart of Goldsboro, North Carolina. The school has a two-year associate of applied science in medical assisting, as well as transitional programs for students looking to continue their education. The student population here is 3,358 on average, and the graduation rate is 14%.
- Total annual cost: $6,735
- In-state tuition: $2,300
- Out-of-state tuition: $8,444
- Degrees: Associate’s
10 – Palm Beach State College
Palm Beach State Community College is an exciting school to go to if you want to be near the hustle and bustle of Florida life. The school is situated in beautiful Lake Worth, FL, and it has an impressive graduation rate of 31%. With a staggering student population of 29,974, this institution has great social opportunities and organizations to get involved in.
- Total annual cost: $6,749
- In-state tuition: $2,314
- Out-of-state tuition: $8,386
- Degrees: Certificate
11 – Southeast Community College
If you just want to get a diploma in medical assisting, Southeast Commuity College is a great option for you. This school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and has a student population of 10,168. There is not much of a difference between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition at this school, which makes it a great choice if you want to move somewhere for your education. The graduation rate here is 27%.
- Total annual cost: $6,786
- In-state tuition: $2,351
- Out-of-state tuition: $2,891
- Degrees: Diploma
12 – Pensacola State College
Pensacola State College is a great school to attend, with a graduation rate of 30% and approximately 11,862 students. There is a massive difference between the in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition for this school, so it may not be the best place to go if you are not a resident of Florida. The school only offers a certificate program for medical assistants, but that should be enough to help you get a job.
- Total annual cost: $6,945
- In-state tuition: $2,510
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,075
- Degrees: Certificate
13 – West Virginia Northern Community College
West Virginia Northern Community College is located in Wheeling, West Virginia. It has a fairly modest student population of 2,482, and it has a low graduation rate of 12%. Despite the lacking number of students who complete their degrees here, the school does offer a solid associate of science in medical assisting.
- Total annual cost: $7,081
- In-state tuition: $2,646
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,806
- Degrees: Associate’s
14 – Wichita Area Technical College
As the name suggests, Wichita Area Technical College is based in Wichita, Kansas. It has a student population of 2,677 and a fantastic graduation rate of 60%. If you go to school her, you can choose from a certificate of medical assisting or an associate of science in medical assisting, depending on the amount of time you want to spend in your training. Either option should lead you to certification.
- Total annual cost: $7,155
- In-state tuition: $2,720
- Out-of-state tuition: $3,092
- Degrees: Certificate, Associate’s
15 – Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College is located in Longmont, Colorado. It educates an average student population of 20,221, touching on a variety of medical and administrative careers. This school offers both a certificate of medical assisting and an associate’s degree in medical assisting, so you have multiple training options to pursue. Become part of the 21% graduating from here every year, and you’re sure to be a success.
- Total annual cost: $7,198
- In-state tuition: $2,763
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,646
- Degrees: Certificate, Associate’s
16 – Daytona State College
Daytona State College is quite obviously located in Daytona Beach, Florida, which may make it sound like a party school and nothing more. The school’s statistics paint a different picture. With a student population of 13,565 and a graduation rate of 29%, this school is certainly one worth looking into. You can obtain a certificate of medical assisting here in less than a year, and then you will be able to start looking for work.
- Total annual cost: $7,342
- In-state tuition: $2,907
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,797
- Degrees: Certificate
17 – Delaware Technical and Community College
Delaware Technical and Community College is situated in the heart of Wilmington, Delaware. It is known mostly for its energy and engineering degrees, but it also has a thriving health sciences department. Here you can earn an associate of science in medical assisting, as well as a variety of other degrees. The school has a modest student population of 7,449 and a graduation rate of 9%.
- Total annual cost: $7,415
- In-state tuition: $2,980
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,094
- Degrees: Associate’s
18 – Great Falls College
The appropriately named Great Falls College is based in Great Falls, Montana, making it one of the very few accredited medical assisting schools in MT. If you want to become a medical assistant in Montana, this is going to be the best place to go for your education. You can earn an associate’s degree in medical assisting here, joining a student population of 1,836.
- Total annual cost: $7,512
- In-state tuition: $3,077
- Out-of-state tuition: $9,329
- Degrees: Associate’s
19 – Lone Star College
Lone Star College has campuses throughout the state of Texas. With an average student population of 64,514, it has more students than most of the schools on this list. The school boasts a graduation rate of 10% and it offers a certificate in medical assisting. Most students complete their training in less than one year here.
- Total annual cost: $7,523
- In-state tuition: $3,088
- Out-of-state tuition: $3,448
- Degrees: Certificate
20 – Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier Parish Community college is located in Bossier City, Louisiana. It has a student population of 7,855 and a graduation rate of 14%. If you choose to attend this school, you can earn an associate’s degree or diploma in medical assisting. Both of them can lead to certification if you pay close attention in school.
- Total annual cost: $7,583
- In-state tuition: $3,148
- Out-of-state tuition: $6,374
- Degrees: Diploma, Associate’s
21 – Kennebec Valley Community College
Kennebec Valley Community College is a great school to go to if you want an associate’s degree in medical assisting. It is located in Fairfield, Maine, and it has a student population of 2,436. Earning a degree here takes about two years in total, but there are online classes you can take if you have to work during that time. The graduation rate at KVCC is 40%.
- Total annual cost: $7,621
- In-state tuition: $3,186
- Out-of-state tuition: $5,766
- Degrees: Associate’s
22 – H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College
H. Councill Trenholm State College is one of the most popular schools in Montgomery, Alabama, despite its student populaiton of 1,401. It has an impressive graduation rate of 35%, and it offers affordable tuition rates for in state and out of state students. If you choose to go to school here, you will get to earn an associate of science in medical assisting.
- Total annual cost: $7,675
- In-state tuition: $3,240
- Out-of-state tuition: $6,024
- Degrees: Associate’s
23 – Bluegrass Community and Technical College
If you want a diploma in medical assisting, Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a great school to consider attending. This school is based in Lexington, Kentucky, and it is home to nearly 14,000 students every year. With a 20% graduation rate, you should have a good chance of completing your education at BCTC.
- Total annual cost: $7,855
- In-state tuition: $3,420
- Out-of-state tuition: $11,820
- Degrees: Diploma
24 – Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College has several locations in the state of Indiana. There are close to 200,000 students in Ivy Tech’s network.
- Total annual cost: $7,890
- In-state tuition: $3,455
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,302
- Degrees: Certificate, Associate’s
25 – Everett Community College
Everett Community College gains its name from its location in Everett, Washington. This charming school has a student population of 6,827 and a graduation rate of 26%. ECC offers an accredited certificate of medical assisting program, as well as degrees in many other medical fields. If you decide to change careers, you’ll still be able to get a solid education here.
- Total annual cost: $8,056
- In-state tuition: $3,621
- Out-of-state tuition: $5,230
- Degrees: Certificate
26 – Red Rocks Community College
Red Rocks Community College is in Lakewood, Colorado. This school offers a certificate for medical assistants that takes one to two years to earn. There are 8,973 students in this school on average, with a 23% graduation rate. If you would like to change careers once you start your training, there are many other degree programs here to look forward to.
- Total annual cost: $8,103
- In-state tuition: $3,668
- Out-of-state tuition: $14,162
- Degrees: Certificate
27 – Cleveland State Community College
Cleveland State Community College sounds like it would be located in Ohio, but it is actually based in the lesser-known Cleveland, Tennessee. The school has a wonderful associate of science in medical assisting, and it offers classes online. There are about 3,640 students here every year, and an average of 15% of them make it through graduation. Study hard and you could be one of them.
- Total annual cost: $8,106
- In-state tuition: $3,761
- Out-of-state tuition: $14,303
- Degrees: Associate’s
28 – Olympic College
Olympic College has an impressive graduation rate of 30% for its 7,543 students per year. Many students attend this school for its certificate of medical assisting, but there are other degrees to pursue here as well. OC is in Bremerton, Washington, and it has a great in-state tuition rate. Out of state students only pay about $400 more a year, so you could consider going here even if you do not live in the area.
- Total annual cost: $8,153
- In-state tuition: $3,718
- Out-of-state tuition: $4,138
- Degrees: Certificate
29 – Clackamas Community College
Clackamas Community College, known locally as “triple C,” is a small yet growing school in Oregon City, Oregon. The college features a certificate program for medical assistants, and it helps train many other professionals in the medical field. Currently, the school has a graduation rate of 14% and a student population of 7,630.
- Total annual cost: $8 212
- In-state tuition: $3,777
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,737
- Degrees: Certificate
30 – Norwalk Community College
Norwalk Community College is in Norwalk, Connecticut. This is one of the few schools in Connecticut that offer accredited medical assistant programs. Here you can choose to earn a certificate in medical assisting, where you will join a student population slightly under 7,000. The graduation rate here is 10%.
- Total annual cost: $8,221
- In-state tuition: $3,786
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,506
- Degrees: Certificate
31 – Chippewa Valley Technical College
Chippewa Valley Technical College offers a diploma of medical assisting in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This program takes less than a year to get through, and it can lead to many exciting jobs in WI and other states. The student population for this school is 6,805, and the graduation rate is 36%.
- Total annual cost: $8,250
- In-state tuition: $3,815
- Out-of-state tuition: $5,551
- Degrees: Diploma
32 – Kirkwood Community College
Kirkwood Community College offers a diploma of medical assisting, which can be used towards an associate’s degree at another university. The school is home to an average of 16,661 students each year, teaching classes in health sciences, business, and much more. It is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but the affordable out-of-state tuition makes it a great choice for any aspiring medical assistant.
- Total annual cost: $8,275
- In-state tuition: $3,840
- Out-of-state tuition: $4,590
- Degrees: Diploma
33 – Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga State College has a less-than-stellar graduation rate of 7%, but it makes up for that in affordability. This school is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it supports over 10,000 students a year. You can only earn a certificate in medical assisting here, but that is enough to get you certified. If you want to further your education, there are plenty of other medical assistant schools that can help you do just that.
- Total annual cost: $8,305
- In-state tuition: $3,807
- Out-of-state tuition: $13,998
- Degrees: Certificate
34 – Blackhawk Technical College
Blackhawk Technical College, better known as Blackhawk Tech, is a great school to go to for health science careers. You can earn a diploma of medical assisting at this school, or you could move on to higher paying jobs in the medical field. There are slightly fewer than 3,000 students here each year, but 40% of them end up graduating from their programs. You have a solid chance at success at BTC.
- Total annual cost: $8,397
- In-state tuition: $3,962
- Out-of-state tuition: $5,716
- Degrees: Diploma
35 – Lakeland Community College
Lakeland Community College is located in Kirtland, Ohio. It offers a diploma of medical assisting program, with a school-wide graduation rate of 13%. The school has a fairly steep fee for out-of-state tuition, but it is not as high as others on our list. If you live nearby and want to learn how to become a medical assistant, LCC is definitely worth looking into.
- Total annual cost: $8,400
- In-state tuition: $3,965
- Out-of-state tuition: $8,602
- Degrees: Diploma
36 – Fox Valley Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College has a graduation rate of 34% and a student population of 9,582. There are several branches of this school throughout the state of Wisconsin, and many of them have medical assisting diplomas. If you live in WI, you should have an FVTC campus near you.
- Total annual cost: $8,413
- In-state tuition: $3,978
- Out-of-state tuition: $5,732
- Degrees: Diploma
37 – Houston Community College
Houston Community College is located in Houston, Texas. It has one of the largest student populations on this list, reigning in at 58,507 students each year. The graduation here is 14%. The out-of-state tuition here is very close to the in-state tuition, so you can get an affordable education no matter what.
- Total annual cost: $8,467
- In-state tuition: $4,032
- Out-of-state tuition: $4,527
- Degrees: Certificate
38 – Jefferson Community and Technical College
Jefferson Community and Technical College is located in Louisville, Kentucky. It offers a simple diploma of medical assisting that you can complete in less than a year. The student population at JCTC is 14,790, and the graduation rate is 13%.
- Total annual cost: $8,565
- In-state tuition: $4,130
- Out-of-state tuition: $14,030
- Degrees: Diploma
39 – Macomb Community College
At Macomb Community College, you can earn a certificate in medical assisting. The student population here is fairly high at 23,969 people, which is more than you may expect from a small town in Michigan. MCC is the pride of the Clinton Township in MI, but it only has graduation rate of 13%.
- Total annual cost: $8,596
- In-state tuition: $4.161
- Out-of-state tuition: $5,370
- Degrees: Certificate
40 – Aiken Technical College
Aiken Technical College was not named after a famous American Idol contestant, but rather its hometown of Aiken South Carolina. If the Clay Aiken reference didn’t scare you away from this description, you’ll be pleased to know that this school has a certificate of medical assisting program. It features a small student population of 2,905 and a graduation rate of 15%.
- Total annual cost: $8,661
- In-state tuition: $4,226
- Out-of-state tuition: $9,890
- Degrees: Certificate
41 – Greenville Technical College
Greenville Technical College is conveniently located in Greenville, South Carolina. The school has a student population of 13,950, and it has an average graduation rate of 8%. If you want to get a certificate in medical assisting in SC, this is one of the few schools that will allow you to do so. The good news is that the program is fully accredited by the CAAHEP.
- Total annual cost: $8,685
- In-state tuition: $4,250
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,970
- Degrees: Certificate
42 – Middlesex Community College
Middlesex Community College is located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Even though it is in an affluent part of the country, this school has affordable tuition rates – especially for residents of MA. There are 9,656 students here each year, and the school has a graduation rate of 13%. If you want a certificate of nursing, this might be a place to keep in mind.
- Total annual cost: $8,709
- In-state tuition: $4,274
- Out-of-state tuition: $9,218
- Degrees: Certificate
43 – Belmont College
Belmont College is one of the smaller schools on our top 50 cheapest medical assistant schools list, carrying a student population of 1,619 people a year. The graduation rate here is 18%, which is higher than many other schools with more students. If you live near Saint Clairsville, Ohio, this would be a great place to go for your education.
- Total annual cost: $8,745
- In-state tuition: $4,310
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,340
- Degrees: Associate’s
44 – Stark State College
Stark State College is located in North Canton, Ohio. It has a solid student population of 15,717, but its graduation rate is only 15%. The associate of science in medical assisting program here takes about four semesters to complete, depending on whether you go to school full time or not. Assuming you do, it will take you no time at all to enter the work force as a certified medical administrative assistant – Certified Medical assistant vs Certified Nursing Assistant.
- Total annual cost: $8,845
- In-state tuition: $4,410
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,140
- Degrees: Associate’s
45 – Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg Community College is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and it offers a diploma in medical assisting. The school features a student population of 6,090 and it has a graduation rate of 11%. The out-of-state tuition here is nearly double the in-state tuition rate, so you may want to look elsewhere if you live outside of South Carolina.
- Total annual cost: $8,859
- In-state tuition: $4,424
- Out-of-state tuition: $7,338
- Degrees: Diploma
46 – Clark College
If you want an accredited medical assisting degree in Vancouver, Washington, Clark College is the place to be. With a high student population of 11,772, it’s surprising that this school’s graduation rate is as high as 28%. CC only offers a certificate of medical assisting at this time, but it offers other health sciences career training courses if you decide to switch professions over time.
- Total annual cost: $8,979
- In-state tuition: $4,544
- Out-of-state tuition: $9,389
- Degrees: Certificate
47 – Highland Community College
Highland Community College is in Freeport, Illinois. It has a low tuition rate for Illinois residents and out of state residents alike, so you could get an education here no matter what. HCC has a pretty high graduation rate of 34%, and it offers a great associate’s degree in medical assisting. If you decide to attend school here, you will be part of an average student population of 2,064.
- Total annual cost: $9,235
- In-state tuition: $4,800
- Out-of-state tuition: $5,520
- Degrees: Associate’s
48 – Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College may not be the easiest school name to spell or say, but that doesn’t take away from its educational merit. With an average student population slightly under 9,000, this school has great student activities and clubs to join. The graduation rate here is 14%, which is admittedly lower than other schools on this list. Nevertheless, it’s considered one of the best colleges in Worchester, Massachusetts.
- Total annual cost: $9,529
- In-state tuition: $5,094
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,038
- Degrees: Certificate
49 – Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College is located in Kalispell, Montana, and it has a student population just shy of 2,400. The school has a graduation rate of 27%, which is higher than that of other Montana colleges. If you want an associate of medical assisting in this expansive state, FVCC is certainly worthy of your consideration.
- Total annual cost: $9,537
- In-state tuition: $5,102
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,870
- Degrees: Associate’s
50 – Cincinnati State and Technical Community College
We round out our list of the top 50 affordable medical assistant schools with Cincinnati State and Technical Community College. CSTCC has a certificate of medical assisting program in Cincinnati, Ohio. There are over 10,600 students in attendance here every year, and many of them are pursuing health careers. If you’re an Ohio resident or someone looking for a good degree to pursue, keep this school in mind.
- Total annual cost: $9,583
- In-state tuition: $5,148
- Out-of-state tuition: $10,037
- Degrees: Certificate
RESOURCES
- Total annual cost, in-state tuition, and out-of-state tuition: All tuition costs were provided by the CNN Money College Cost Calculator. Total annual cost includes tuition, fees, room and board and books. It does not include grants or scholarships. In-state tuition rates represent students living within the state the school is located in.
- School list and degree types: All of the schools listed in this article offer medical assistant programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as listed here: Find An Accredited Program/.
- Graduation rates and student populations: All graduation rates and student populations were from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Graduation rates are for “full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates.” Student populations include men and women per the fall semester of 2012.
