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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools

158 Colleges in the United States
$16,977 Avg Student Debt
$39,842 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Associate's Degree Badge [Medical/Clinical Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/medical-clinical-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong medical/clinical assistant education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1165 schools to find the best return on investment for medical/clinical assistant students.

What’s on this page:

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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

1

For return on investment in medical/clinical assistant, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $33,838. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

3
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Canada College crest
Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Canada College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Clover Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $14,405. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $43,425 early in their careers. Set against $14,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Pensacola State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #7 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $4,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $27,401. That is a strong return on a $4,992 median debt.

8

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #8 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,000. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $37,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Central Piedmont Community College placed #9 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $17,512. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $35,967. Set against $17,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Bates Technical College came in at #10 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.

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Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $28,687. That is a strong return on a $13,735 median debt.

12

South Texas College landed the #12 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, 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.

13
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $32,934. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #14 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,000. 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.

15
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College landed the #15 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #16 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $40,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Frederick Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,778. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Washtenaw Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. 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, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $39,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $37,407. That is a strong return on a $16,172 median debt.

20
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College earned the #20 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $20,250. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

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Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Central New Mexico Community College placed #22 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,112. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

23
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College placed #23 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

El Paso Community College placed #24 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

25

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in medical/clinical assistant:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
33
34
35
36
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA
37
38
Nash Community College crest
Nash Community College
Rocky Mount, NC
39
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Medical/Clinical Assistant Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Medical/Clinical Assistant rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Medical/Clinical Assistant
Bachelor's Degrees in Medical/Clinical Assistant
Master's Degrees in Medical/Clinical Assistant
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View All Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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