2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in California
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 163 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 California
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
San Diego Mesa College tops our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Canada College earned it the #3 place for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $33,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Moreno Valley College earned the #6 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. 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.
Santa Ana College came in at #7 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. 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, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,368 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $28,444 early in their careers. Set against $12,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College earned the #8 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. 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 ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, 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. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #10 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College landed the #12 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $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 #13 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College earned the #14 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Imperial Valley College came in at #15 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. 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.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #16 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,332. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #17 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Cosumnes River College landed the #18 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern College Chula Vista placed #19 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. Students from in state pay about $1,344 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
Modesto Junior College placed #20 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College came in at #21 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $12,733. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
West Los Angeles College placed #22 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $65,978.
Miracosta College came in at #23 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
East Los Angeles College placed #24 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Antelope Valley College placed #25 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,729. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 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:
More Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings
View All Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 163 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
