2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
[Medical/Clinical Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/medical-clinical-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong medical/clinical assistant education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1165 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools.
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Finding the Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant School for You
Where you study medical/clinical assistant affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the medical/clinical assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
For return on investment in medical/clinical assistant, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $4,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $26,936. That is a strong return on a $4,125 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $4,992 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $27,401 early in their careers. Set against $4,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gateway Community College Central City earned it the #4 place for medical/clinical assistant. Gateway Community College Central City is a small public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students borrow a median of $15,037 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Gateway Community College Central City earn a median of $31,636 early in their careers. Set against $15,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #5 place for medical/clinical assistant. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Canada College placed #6 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,000. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College earned the #7 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $31,404 early in their careers.
Lake Land College came in at #8 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,769. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $30,529. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College placed #9 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Students borrow a median of $14,405 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $43,425. Set against $14,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #10 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,000. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $36,524. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Pensacola State College landed the #11 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #12 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $17,055. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #13 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $33,838. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College placed #14 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Students borrow a median of $12,718 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $47,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College earned the #15 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,378 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $32,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,378 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College earned the #16 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,925. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $38,885. Set against $7,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College placed #17 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $39,704. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #18 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $17,512. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $35,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #19 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,368 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $28,444. Set against $12,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College placed #20 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $42,057. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Frederick Community College came in at #21 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #22 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $37,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,172 median debt.
Bates Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Moreno Valley College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #25 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $12,799. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in medical/clinical assistant:
Narrow Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools by Region
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Medical/Clinical Assistant. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1165 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 158 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
