TOP
30
MEDICAL ASSISTANT SCHOOLS
This edition of the Top Medical Assistant Schools of 2016-2017 showcases the best of the best in the world of health sciences.
After considering graduation and retention rates, tuition rates and other cost variables for hundreds of medical assistant schools in our database, the team at TopMedicalAssistantPrograms.org has ranked the top 30 schools according to the aforementioned metrics. Each school was assigned a calculated value and ranked in descending order (highest score to lowest score). Medical assisting schools that had low costs, high graduation and retention rates and minimal differences in tuition fees attained the highest rankings.
All schools considered for this ranking are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)–many are accredited by multiple accrediting agencies. All data was gathered from the sources below.
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- School Websites (if data wasn’t available via IPEDS)
Rank
#1
Score
100
Century College
Net Price: $4,470
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 87%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Note from the school: Admission into this program requires special application and is highly competitive. The college may not be able to accept all applicants that meet the minimum admission standards.
Century College’s Medical Assistant program offers daytime and online classes during the fall and daytime, evening, and online classes during the Spring. This program is accredited and only requires 48 credit hours total along with a 300-hour clinical externship under the supervision of a physician. Graduates are eligible to take the Certification Exam of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Rank
#2
Score
92.75
Mitchell Technical Institute
Net Price: $9,204
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 68%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Mitchell Technical Institute’s Medical Assistant program offers a two-year associate of applied science degree for medical assistants. The degree requires a total of 73 credit hours. Graduates of this program can sit for the AAMA certification exam. Mitchell Tech’s medical assistants and certified medical assistants attain an impressive 82% job placement rate. This is one of the few schools in the state to offer an accredited medical assistant program. Although the net price is $9,204, tuition is on $6,875. This school is located in Mitchell, South Dakota and is one of a handful of medical assistant school in the state.
Rank
#3
Score
92.5
Renton Technical College
Net Price: $9,204
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 68%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Located in Renton, Washington, Renton Technical College’s Medical Assistant program offers a certificate of medical assisting that can be completed in about a year (4 quarters, 72 credits). this program prepares students for successful careers as medical assistants, clinical medical assistants, specialized medical assistants, and more. The medical assisting program at Renton Technical College has a national credentialing exam pass rate of over 95%, an average retention rate of over 80% for the past five years, and there are a number of support services available to students so that they can successfully complete the program. Five-year average for employer satisfaction: 100%. Tuition is only $4,4836.
Rank
#4
Score
90.5
Brigham Young University Idaho
Net Price: $7,968
Retention Rate: 69%
Graduation Rate: 56%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Located in a small town in Rexburg, Idaho, Brigham Young University’s Medical Assistant program has an impressive track record for graduation and retention. This program consistenly produces high AAMA certification passing rates at over 92% for the past 6 years. In 2015, 47 out of 51 students passed the exam. This school has one of the lowest tuition costs of all medical assistant schools on this list. BYU-Idaho offers flexible degree options which can turn into earlier graduation, and saved money and time.
Rank
#5
Score
89.5
YTI Career Institute
Net Price: $10,455
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 66%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
YTI Career Institute has multiple branches in Pennsylvania, including York, Altoona, and Lancaster. The York campus has a higher tuition fee and net price than the Altoona campus. The York branch has a higher retention rate than the Altoona, but a lower graduation rate. This program can be completed in less than two years (21 months) with 97 credits required. Graduates earn an Associates in Specialized Technology degree.
Rank
#6
Score
87
Ohio Business College
Net Price: $16,781
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 57%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Ohio Business College has several campuses throughout Ohio, all which offer medical assisting programs. Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are a low $8,672. A high retention rate is testimony to the fact that this is a great school for aspiring medical assistants. The Ohio Business College’s Medical Assisting diploma program has seen tremendous success. The Sandusky and Cleveleand campuses boast a 5-year Graduate Satisfaction rate at 100%, 5 year Employer Satisfaction rate at 98.16%, and a 5-year Exam Pass rate at 77.30%. The OBC campus is not far behind with a 5-year Employer Satisfaction rate at 91.49% and a 5-year Placement rate at 89.60%.
Rank
#7
Score
85
Alpena Community College
Net Price: $3,626
Retention Rate: 61%
Graduation Rate: 35%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Alpena Community College located in Alpena, Michigan, offers an associate degree in Medical Assistant in Applied Science. This medical assisting program includes clinical, administrative, and hands-on experience necessary to prepare for this career field. Students who complete this program are qualified to sit for the AAMA certification examination.
Rank
#8
Score
84.75
Nebraska Methodist College
Net Price: $18,734
Retention Rate: 70%
Graduation Rate: 66%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Despite the religious name, this school accepts persons from all walks of life. Nebraska Methodist College, located in Omaha, Nebraska, offers a 12-month certificate program with 300 hours of hands-on clinical experience. This program offers flexible daytime and part-time classes. Graduates are required to take the AAMA exam for certification before graduating. Students who complete this program are qualified to take the AAMA’s certification examination. The school’s affiliations allow students to complete their 10-week externships in some of the state’s most prestigious healthcare facilities.
Rank
#9
Score
84.5
Robert Morris University
Net Price: $23,906
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 62%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Robert Morris University has several locations in the sate of Illinois and offers an associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting. This program is one of the more expensive programs but offers solid financial aid to help cover the costs. Robert Morris has the second highest retention rates of all the schools considered for our top medical assistant schools rankings. Graduates of the Medical Assisting program at Robert Morris University are satisfied with the education that they receive at RMU, according to average graduate satisfaction rates over the past five years.
Rank
#10
Score
84.25
Carrington College
Net Price: $22,653
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 71%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Carrington College has multiple locations throughout northern California. Carrington earns a top spot on our list of best medical assistant schools for their high retention and graduation rates along with zero-cost difference for their in-state vs out-of-state tuition. Carrington offers a Medical Assisting certificate and associate degree. Based on the most recent annual report submitted to the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), Carrington’s five-year weighted average placement rates range from 55.03% (Pleasant Hill) up to 71.43% (San Jose)
Rank
#11
Score
83.5
Central Community College
Net Price: $7,041
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 33%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $1,230
Central Community College, located in Grand Island, Nebraska, offers a Medical Assisting AAS Degree or Administrative Medical Office Certificate. Despite the gap between in-state and out-of-state tuition, the total cost of tuition is lower than most on our list. Students in CCC’s program will study in modern laboratory and classroom settings which will prepare them to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination after graduation.
Rank
#12
Score
83.25
Concordia University
Net Price: $19,726
Retention Rate: 69%
Graduation Rate: 36%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $1,350
Concordia University is a small Christian school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The medical assistant program at this school helps students develop the professional competencies and commitment needed to be a responsible participant and leader in the healthcare field. Full-time students can complete this certificate in 13 months. Part-time students can finish in 26 months. All certificate graduates are eligible to take the American Associate of Medical assistants National Certification Exam
Rank
#13
Score
83
Davenport University
Net Price: $15,841
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 40%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Davenport University has thirteen locations throughout the state of Michigan. This school provides an associate of science in medical assisting and a variety of other degrees in the medical field. At some locations, options for this program may include selecting a Phlebotomy Specialty, becoming eligible to write a phlebotomy certification exam, or completing a Chiropractic Assistant Specialty. Medical assisting graduates are eligible to take the certification exam of the American Association of Medical Assistants (CMA) and/or the American Medical Technologist Exam (RMA). Studies are combined with a hands-on externship experience and are eligible to sit for national certification examinations after graduation.
Rank
#14
Score
82.75
North Iowa Area Community College
Net Price: $7,593
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 41%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $2,006
North Iowa Area Community College offers a medical assistant diploma. Students who attain the diploma are qualified for the national certification examination to become a CMA-AAMA (Certified Medical Assistant). Financial aid is available from grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment (work study) and nearly 2/3 of NIACC students receive financial assistants. According to the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (IowaCollegeAid.gov), NIACC has the lowest tuition and fees out of all colleges in the state.
Rank
#15
Score
80.75
Highland Community College
Net Price: $5,731
Retention Rate: 61%
Graduation Rate: 28%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $216
Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois offers an associate’s of applied science in medical assisting. HCC offers this degree at as much as one-third the cost of other nearby programs. In this program, students gain both administrative and clinical experience. Upon graduation students are eligible to take the Medical Assistance Certification exam. The CMA examination pass rate of HCC medical assistant graduates is 92%, while the nation-wide pass rate is 67.5 %. Job placement for 2012 graduaes was 100%.
Rank
#16
Score
80.75
Western Technical College
Net Price: $22,323
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 46%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Western Technical College in El Paso, Texas made this list due to their high retention rate and no-gap in-state vs out-of-state tuition cost. WTC’s medical assistant program has an average retention rate of 86% for the past five years. Students who graduate from WTC’s program are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Certification examination. Students from this program consistently attain a much higher AAMA certification exam pass-rate than the national average. Students leave with effective communication skills, medical office and equipment know-how and every other needful skill for success in this field.
Rank
#17
Score
80.5
Spencerian College
Net Price: $26,065
Retention Rate: 33%
Graduation Rate: 41%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Spencerian College’s School of Allied Health Sciences offers a Medical Assistant diploma. Spencerian College has campuses throughout the sate of Kentucky but only offers the medical assisting program at their Lexington and Louisville campuses. This program is designed to be completed in 12 months. In 2014-2015, 50% of medical assisting students completed the program within that timeframe. The job placement for Spencerian’s medical assisting certificate is 100% for the Louisville location. Career placement is not guaranteed, but this is a great school that will increase your chances of employability upon graduation.
Sources: http://spencerian.edu/programsuccess/, http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?md=0&q=spencerian+college&id=157766, http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?md=0&q=spencerian+college&id=433563
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Rank
#18
Score
80
Everett Community College
Net Price: $6,975
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 31%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $5,338
Located in Everett, Washington, the Medical Assisting program at Everett Community College has five-year average retention rate of 92.89%. This school has a great in-state tuition price at only $3,643. Students can earn a certificate in Medical Assisting at 83 credits with the options of an Associate in Technical Arts (90 credits) or Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (105 credits). The certificate can be completed in less than a year.
Rank
#19
Score
80
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Net Price: $18,619
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 41%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Mercy College of Health Sciences is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa with a student population of under 900. Mercy College offers a Certificate or Associate of Science in Medical Assisting. This is a three-semester program with classroom instruction, lab experience, and clinical experience in an ambulatory care setting. For those enrolling in Mercy College’s Associate of Science in Medical Assisting (ASMA) program, students take an additional 25 credit hours to complete the degree.
Rank
#20
Score
79.5
Fox Valley Technical College
Net Price: $8,598
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 35%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $1,926
Fox Valley Technical College has several branches in the state of Wisconson including. Appleton, Chilton, Oshkosh, Waupaca. The tuition at this school is competitive and has a strong retention rate. Students can earn a technical diploma of medical assisting at FVTC with just 33 credits. This program includes a supervised practicum experience, offering students the opportunity to apply what they learn in a real world environment. Many of the credits earned in this program can be applied toward future programs.
Rank
#21
Score
79.5
Illinois Central College
Net Price: $8,904
Retention Rate: 69%
Graduation Rate: 25%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $1,350
Illinois Central College is located in East Peoria, Illinois. ICC offers a medical assisting certificate. This is a great program to consider even if students don’t have residency in Illinois. ICC maintains a healthy student population of 10,296 undergraduates. This is another low-priced program which offers a great value to all their students.
Rank
#22
Score
79.5
Forrest College
Net Price: $16,893
Retention Rate: 63%
Graduation Rate: 55%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Forrest College is nestled in Anderson, South Carolina. Students can earn an associate of science in medical assisting at this school with the option to pursue higher degrees for career advancement. This program requires a minimum of 94.5 credits for graduation. Upon successful completion of the program graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination for Certified Medical Assistants. A little over 3/4 of first-time, degree-seeking students graduate with a degree from this school.
Rank
#23
Score
78.5
Lone Star College
Net Price: $5,670
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 10%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $360
Lone Star College has many campuses located in Texas. Lone Star offers a medical assisting certificate. This program lasts for three semesters and a total of 39 credits. the graduation rate is low, but the school is one of the most affordable medical assistant programs in the nation. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certified Medical Assistant Exam and a clinical/externship.
Rank
#24
Score
78.25
Mount Aloysius College
Net Price: $20,940
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 44%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Mount Aloysius College is located in Cresson, Pennsylvania. Although the net price is higher than most programs included in our list, MAC offers financial aid to help cover costs. Mount Aloysius offers an associate degree in medical assisting. The program focuses on preparing students for gaining employment in community and hospital settings. Students are encouraged to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification examination and may also test for Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician (CET), and Certified Professional Coder (CPC). The program consists of a total 60 credits for the degree and optional 12 credits per specialization.
Rank
#25
Score
78
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
Net Price: $19,371
Retention Rate: 64%
Graduation Rate: 54%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $0
Located in Oakdale, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Technical Institute’s Medical Assisting program combines superior classroom instruction from industry trained professionals with hands-on experience in state-of-the-industry lab facilities. This program offers an associate of science in medical assisting. PTI has a 100% graduate satisfaction rate over the past five years and five-year average for employer satisfaction is 100%.
Rank
#26
Score
77.75
Eastern Idaho Technical College
Net Price: $8,811
Retention Rate: 64%
Graduation Rate: 51%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $6,216
Eastern Idaho Technical College is located in beautiful Idaho Falls, Idaho. This program is ideal for aspiring medical assistants in Idaho, with an in-state tuition of only $2,780. EITC offers a Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree in a two-year timeframe (4 semesters + summer). This program provides small class sizes, and high job placement at a low cost.
Rank
#27
Score
77.5
El Paso Community College
Net Price: $3,479
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 13%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $1,565
El Paso Community College made our list because of the extremely low net price. This is the most affordable medical assistant program in the nation. EPCC offers an associate’s degree (2 years) or certificate (1 year) in medical assisting. Graduates of the CMA certificate option and AAS graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination. Salary ranges for medical assistants in El Paso are around $25K-$30K and in the state of Texas, $30K-$36K.
Rank
#28
Score
77.25
Southeast Community College
Net Price: $7,405
Retention Rate: 61%
Graduation Rate: 25%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $714
Southeast Community College is located in Lincoln, Nebraska. This school offers in-state and out-of-state tuitions at less than $4,000 a year. This is one of the most affordable medical assistant programs in the nation. The program can usually be completed in 18-24 months including 240 houts practicing skills in a physician’s office. Some of the courses can be completed online. Students are awarded a diploma in medical assisting. The five-year weighted average for the Medical Assisting Program at Southeast Community College for Job Placement is 85%, Graduate Satisfaction is 100%, Employer Satisfaction is 99%, and Exam Pass rate is 98%.
Rank
#29
Score
76.75
Southeastern Community College
Net Price: $7,238
Retention Rate: 51%
Graduation Rate: 29%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $150
Southeastern Community College is located in West Burlington, Iowa. this school offers modest tuition rates at $5,100 or less for in and out-of-state students. SCC offers a diploma of medical assisting which takes three semesters over an 11 month period to complete. Southeastern Community College’s Medical Assistant graduates had an AAMA certification exam pass rate of 100% for 2011-2012–the national pass rate was 69% for all first-time test takers.
Rank
#30
Score
76
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Net Price: $8,953
Retention Rate: 63%
Graduation Rate: 32%
Estimated Expenses for Academic Year (In-state vs. Out-of-state): $1,926
Chippewa Valley Technical College is in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. CVTC’s medical assistant program allows students to earn a technical diploma with just 33 credits in one year. Financial aid is available for students in the program. Classes are aimed to enhance student communication skills to prepare them for patient interaction along with all other necessary skills for medical assisting. Class sizes are small which offers better one-on-one teaching and learning. Both in and out-of-state tuition rates are affordable.
Congratulations on the great work your school does for medical assisting! Feel free to add the following award to your site to show students your achievement.
Sincerely,
Staff at TopMedicalAssistantPrograms.org
If you feel that your school should be added to this list, please send your school name to jphillips [at] medicalassistantprogramsonline [dot] org. Our staff will research the data for your school and include your school in our rankings if ranking criteria is met and your school’s calculated score is high enough to be added to this list.