Medical Assistant Schools in Colorado
Colorado is home to some of the healthiest people in the United States, but there is still a need for qualified medical assistants. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Colorado as being above average for both employment and salaries of medical assistants. According to these statistics, Colorado currently has between 7,160 and 13,860 medical assistants working in the state. Those who have chosen this career in Colorado can expect to earn between $32,400 and $39,610 a year, which is quite a bit above the average across the country.
If you plan to enter the medical assisting career field in Colorado, the first step you need to take is to get your education. If you choose a school that is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), you will be eligible to take the examination to become a Certified Medical Assistant. However, you may also choose a school that is accredited through a different agency and still find an excellent medical assistant position.
Everest College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $18,728
- Program: Diploma
- Everest College has three campuses in Colorado, located in Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Thornton. Students who choose Everest can earn a diploma in medical assisting in 41 weeks of full-time study. The program includes everything students need to complete both administrative and clinical medical assisting duties, including hands-on practice in controlled laboratories and during an externship. At Everest, students receive excellent student support services and can even get assistance in locating housing, transportation, and childcare if needed.
Institute of Business and Medical Careers
- Accreditation: ACICS
- Tuition: $22,750 (diploma), $31,200 (degree)
- Program: Diploma, Associate’s degree
- The Institute of Business and Medical Careers has campuses in Greeley, Fort Collins, Longmont, and Cheyenne for student convenience. At IBMC, students can earn either a diploma or an associate’s degree in medical assisting. The diploma program takes 60 weeks to complete, while students can earn an associate’s degree in only 20 weeks more. IBMC provides a number of student services to meet the academic and personal needs of individual students. Medical assistants who graduate from IBMC have an 87% placement rate for the diploma program and an 82% placement rate for the degree program after graduation.
IntelliTec College
- Accreditation:Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, ACCSC
- Tuition: $16,543
- Program: Certificate
- Located in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo, IntelliTec College provides students with a quick way to get an education and enter the medical assisting field. The medical assistant certificate program at Intellitec College is designed to be completed in 10 1/2 months. Intellitec has been in operation since 1965 and prides itself in offering top-notch training for the hottest career fields of today. Interested students can schedule a campus tour to learn more about what this great school has to offer.
- Note: Career placement is not guaranteed.
- For more information about their graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit their website at, http://www.intelliteccollege.com/consumer-information.php
National American University
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $37,016
- Program: Associate’s degree
- National American University has campuses in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Centennial. At these locations, students can earn an associate’s degree in medical assisting in two years of full-time study. NAU provides plenty of support for student success and offers four start times each year with no cohorts. In addition, it may be possible to earn credit toward your degree for previous life and work experience.
Pima Medical Institute
- Accreditation: ABHES
- Tuition: $12,187
- Program: Certificate
- Pima Medical Institute has three Colorado campuses, located in Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Denver. At PMI, students can earn a medical assisting certificate in only nine months, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly. Since its beginnings in 1972, PMI has expanded to serve thousands of students across seven states in the Western United States. In addition, PMI offers many courses online, allowing students a choice of learning formats.
Red Rocks Community College
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Tuition: $124.90/credit
- Program: Certificate, Associate’s degree
- Red Rocks Community College offers students a choice between earning a certificate or an associate’s degree in medical assisting. Students may enter the medical assisting program at RRCC during any semester, but acceptance is limited during the summer semester. Typically, there are between 20-24 students accepted into each class, which keeps the student-teacher ratio low enough for all students to get the needed attention. This worthy school has been in business since 1969 and currently has campuses in Lakewood and Arveda. For additional convenience, some medical assisting courses are offered online.
Westwood College
- Accreditation: ACICS
- Tuition: $25,685 (diploma); $35,959 (degree)
- Program: Diploma; Associate’s degree
- Westwood College offers fast-track education programs, allowing students to earn an associate’s degree in as little as 17 months of full-time study. The school prides itself on exemplary service, providing free tutoring, an assigned Westwood Success Team for each student, and no-cost graduate retraining to ensure that graduates stay on top of their chosen profession. Students at Westwood can earn a diploma in medical assisting in as little as one year, or an associate’s degree in only 17 months. If you are interested in attending Westwood, you can schedule a campus tour to learn more.