2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the Far Western Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 229 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for medical/clinical assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in medical/clinical assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
For return on investment in medical/clinical assistant, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $6,999. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Canada College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,405 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $43,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #6 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College ranked #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bates Technical College earned the #9 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Victor Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College landed the #11 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kapiolani Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,496. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $42,172. That is a strong return on a $15,496 median debt.
Renton Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #14 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #15 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. 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.
Shasta College earned the #16 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College earned the #17 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #18 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $14,699. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #19 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $20,335. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $45,385 early in their careers. Set against $20,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College landed the #20 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Peninsula College placed #21 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $12,730. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #23 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $6,176. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Skagit Valley College earned the #24 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $43,072. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College landed the #25 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $20,637 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $35,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
