25 Most Affordable Med Assistant Schools
If you are planning to enter the field of medical assisting, there are many factors to consider when choosing a quality school. For most people, cost is a major determining factor. There are many highly affordable programs from which to choose.
Newly updated for 2016, here is our list of the 25 most affordable medical assistant schools in the USA:
El Paso Community College
El Paso Community College is located in El Paso, TX and serves over 30,000 students each year. While the graduation rate of 11% may be considered quite low, the affordable tuition, student services, and 86% job placement rate for medical assistants makes this a great choice.
- Degrees offered: certificate; associate’s degree
- Length of program: certificate – 1 year; degree -2 years
- Program cost: certificate – $1,704; out of state $3,374; degree – in state – $3,408; out of state – $6,768
- Other costs: technology, access, and other fees; books
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Pima Community College
Pima Community College offers a Medical Assisting certificate program on its Desert Vista Campus, located in Tucson, Arizona. Students who choose Pima enjoy modern facilities, access to resources on all Pima campuses, and a very affordable tuition rate. While Pima Community College has a very low graduation rate, with only 13% of students graduating after 150% of normal time, the job placement rate of 59% and the tuition rates make Pima a school that definitely deserves a second look.
- Degrees offered: Medical Assistant certificate
- Length of program: 31 weeks
- Program cost: $2,240 (when completed on time)
- Other costs: Books – $1,600
- Accreditation – Higher Learning Commission – North Central Association
- Campus housing available: No
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Located in Lexington, KY, Bluegrass Community and Technical College offers a diploma in administrative medical assisting that can be completed in only 32 weeks. This great school has a low student-faculty ratio of 14:1 and a student body of over 13,000. While the graduation rate of 18% may seem problematic, hard work and determination will make you one of the many successful medical assistants who trained through this school.
- Degrees offered: diploma
- Length of program: 32 weeks
- Program cost: $2,520
- Other costs: books and supplies – $1,000
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Campus housing available: No
Craven Community College
Craven Community College serves students on two campuses in Craven County, NC. While the school has an overall graduation rate of only 12%, the graduation rate for the medical assisting program is 100%. If you are looking for an affordable, quality medical assisting diploma program, this school may be for you.
- Degrees offered: diploma
- Length of program: 1 year
- Program cost: $3,078
- Other costs: Books – $703.75
- Accreditation – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Davidson County Community College
Davidson County Community College has campuses in Thomasville and Mocksville, NC. The school has a student body of almost 5,000 and a graduation rate of 33%. At Davidson County Community College, students can earn either a diploma or an associate’s degree in medical assisting, both of which are CAAHEP accredited.
- Degrees offered: diploma, associate of applied science
- Length of program: diploma – 1 year; degree – 2 years
- Program cost: (in state) diploma – $3,074; degree – $4,647; (out of state)diploma – $11,330 ;degree – $17,127
- Other costs: technology, activity, and other fees; books
- Accreditation – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Eastern Idaho Technical College
Eastern Idaho Technical College is located in Idaho Falls, ID. This school has a small student body and high student-faculty ration, guaranteeing a personlized educational experience. In addition, EITC has a good graduation rate of 57% and a medical assistant career placement rate of 80%.
- Degrees offered: Associate’s degree
- Length of program: 2 years
- Program cost: $4,882
- Other costs: books – $1,600
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Campus housing available: No
Alamance Community College
Alamance Community College, located in Graham, NC, was started in 1958 as one of the first organized community colleges in the state. Serving over 5,000 students, ACC has a graduation rate of around 23%, but offers students the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree during day or evening hours. As such, Alamance is a great choice for many students.
- Degrees offered: Associate’s degree
- Length of program: 2 years
- Program cost: in state – $5,355; out of state – $18,795
- Other costs: books, technology and other fees
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Haywood Community College
Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, NC, in a beautiful mountain setting. The campus includes an outdoor classroom area, a student-built working gristmill, and other beautiful natural attractions. Haywood offers a two-year associate’s degree program in medical assisting prepares students to become Certified Medical Assistants. The school has a low graduation rate of 22%, but makes up for it with a job placement rate of 90% for medical assistant graduates.
- Degrees offered: Medical Assisting Associate Degree
- Length of program: 2 years (5 semesters)
- Program cost: $5,720 (in state); $21,080 (out of state)
- Other costs: Technology, access and other fees; books
- Accreditation – program – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College, located in Goldsboro, NC. , offers an associate’s degree in medical assisting. This school has been in operation since 1957 and has a graduation rate of 19%. In addition, the school offers very affordable tuition, making it a good option for many.
- Degrees offered: Associate’s degree
- Length of program: 2 years
- Program cost: in state – $5,720; out of state – $21,080
- Other costs: technology, access, and other fees; books
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Kennebec Valley Community College
Located in Fairfied, ME, Kennebec Valley Community College is home to 2,470 students and has a student-faculty ratio of 20:1. This small school has an impressive overall graduation rate of 57% and offers students an accredited associate’s degree program in medical assisting.
- Degrees offered: associate’s degree
- Length of program: 2 years
- Program cost: in-state – $5,760; out-of-state – $11,520
- Other costs: books, supplies, and related fees
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
West Virginia Northern Community College
West Virginia Northern Community College is located in Buckhannon, WV and offers classes on three campuses for student convenience. The school offers a graduation rate of 16% and a small student body of around 3,000 students. Despite the relatively low graduation rate, this school offers a quality, accredited medical assisting program.
- Degrees offered: associate’s degree
- Length of program: 2 years
- Program cost: in-state – $6,000; out-of-state – $19,740
- Other costs: technology, access, and other fees; books
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Stanley Community College
Stanly Community College is located in Locust, NC and provides services to just over 3,000 students. The school has been in operation for over 40 years and offers medical assistant certificates, diplomas, and associate’s degrees. Stanly has an overall graduation rate of around 29% and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
- Degrees offered: certificate; diploma; degree
- Length of program: certificate – 1 year;
- Program cost: certificate – $1,411; diploma – $3,149; degree – $6,028 in state, $21,388 out of state
- Other costs: Books – certificate $1,613; diploma $1,827
- Accreditation – CAAHEP
- Campus housing available: No
Lone Star College
Lone Star College has a network of schools throughout the state of Texas. Overall, the school has a very nice graduation rate of 62% and a reasonable student-faculty ratio of 18:1. If you choose this program, you will receive a quality education and enjoy a great 86% job placement rate.
- Degrees offered: certificate
- Length of program: three semesters
- Program cost: as low as $3,588
- Other costs: books, supplies, and related fees
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Pensacola State College
Located in sunny Pensacola, FL, Pensacola State College offers a graduation rate of 30% and affordable tuition rates. While the tuition at this school is reasonable for in-state residents, those living outside of Florida may want to reconsider due to the large difference in tuition rates. Those who do choose this school, however, enjoy a job placement rate of 93% for medical assistants.
- Degrees offered: Certificate
- Length of program: 48 weeks
- Program cost: $3,775
- Other costs: $1,380
- Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Campus housing available: No
Southeast Community College
Southeast Community College is located on three campuses in Nebraska and offers a diploma in medical assisting that can be completed in one year. This school has a graduation rate of 38%, but offers financial aid packages to 90% of its students. With a student body of well over 10,000, SCC is sure to offer ample social and collaboration opportunities.
- Degrees offered: Certificate
- Length of program: 13 months
- Program cost: $3,872
- Other costs: $2,456
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Daytona State College
Since Daytona State College is located in sunny Daytona Beach, FL, many people may think this is a vacation college, but it is so much more. DSC has a student body of over 15,000 and a decent graduation rate of 47% in the medical assistant program. At this school, you can earn your certificate in medical assisting in less than a year, so you can enter the workforce quickly.
- Degrees offered: certificate
- Length of program: 36 weeks
- Program cost: $3,636
- Other costs: $175
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Palm Beach State College
Palm Beach State College, located in Lake Worth, FL, is rated as 11th in the list of the country’s largest associate’s degree producers by Community College Week. The school is the 7th largest in Florida’s public college system and offers the lowest tuition among 4-year colleges in the state.
- Degrees offered: Certificate
- Length of program: 13 months
- Program cost: $5,000
- Other costs: none
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Wichita Area Technical College
Wichita Area Technical College in Wichita, KS, has a great overall graduation rate of 49% and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. The college offers both a certificate and an associate’s degree in medical assisting and offers credit for qualifying life experiences. Regardless of which path you choose, WATC offers a bright future, with a job placement rate of 83% for medical assistants.
- Degrees offered: certificate; associate’s degree
- Length of program: certificate – 9 months; degree – 2 years
- Program cost: certificate – $7,634; degree – $5,402
- Other costs: certificate – $1,718; degree – $3,567
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Great Falls College
Great Falls College, in Great Falls, MT, is affiliated with Montana State University and offers an associate’s degree in medical assisting. At this school, students enjoy a small campus with a student body of fewer than 2,000 and a student-faculty ratio of 15:1. Students who choose this school have a great chance of completing the program, since the school has an overall graduation rate of 54%.
- Degrees offered: associate’s degree
- Length of program: 2 years
- Program cost: in-state – $6,187; out-of-state – $18,688
- Other costs: books, supplies, and related fees
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Front Range Community College
Located in scenic Longmont, CO, Front Range Community College provides students with the opportunity to earn a certificate or associate’s degree in a variety of medical office concentrations, including medical assistant. Although the programs have a graduation rate of 17% for the certificate program, those who make it enjoy a job placement rate of 80%.
- Degrees offered: certificate; associate’s degree
- Length of program: certificate – 45 weeks; degree – 2 years
- Program cost: certificate – $4,766; degree – $7,259
- Other costs: certificate – $1,458; degree – books and other fees
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier Parish Community College is located in Bossier City, LA. BPCC has a good overall graduation rate of 50%, meaning students at this school have an excellent chance of finishing their programs. In addition, students at BPCC can choose between earning a diploma or an associate’s degree in medical assisting.
- Degrees offered: diploma; associate’s degree
- Length of program: diploma – 1 year; degree – 2 years
- Program cost: diploma -$4,265; degree – $7,320
- Other costs: books and supplies – $3,092 (diploma); books and fees (associate’s)
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College serves around 200,000 students at campuses throughout the state of Indiana. Students who choose Ivy Tech can complete either a certificate or an associate’s degree program and be fully prepared to take the Certified Medical Examination.
- Degrees offered: certificate; associate’s degree
- Length of program: certificate – 1 year; degree – 2 years
- Program cost: certificate – $4,893; degree – $7,569 (in-state)
- Other costs: certificate – $1,605; degree – technology, access, and other fees, books
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Delaware Technical and Community College
Delaware Technical and Community College is located in Dover, DE. The school has a low student-faculty ratio of 14:1, promising individualized attention. While the school has a very low graduation rate of 15% overall, the relatively low tuition rate make it worth a look for many students.
- Degrees offered: associate’s degree
- Length of program: 2 years
- Program cost: $9,054
- Other costs: books, supplies, and related fees
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College
H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College is located in Montgomery, AL and is one of the oldest and most reputed in the country. This prestigious school offers an associate’s degree in medical assisting along with short-term certifications in phlebotomy and medical billing and coding. The school has a low student-faculty ratio of 13:1, which may contribute to its good graduation rate of 45%.
- Degrees offered: associate’s degree
- Length of program: 2 years
- Program cost: $9,727
- Other costs: books and supplies – $2,000
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No
Everett Community College
Located in Everett, WA, Everett Community College offers an accredited certificate program for aspiring medical assistants at an affordable rate. This mid-sized school has a relatively low student-faculty ratio of 17:1 and a graduation rate of 26%. If you live in Washington, this popular school is worth a second look, especially considering that this school has an 86% placement rate for medical assistants.
- Degrees offered: certificate
- Length of program: 21 months
- Program cost: $9,700
- Other costs: books and supplies – $1,800
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Campus housing available: No