2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 204 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 Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in medical/clinical assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in medical/clinical assistant in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $36,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #3 place 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. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $14,935. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $39,704. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $8,801. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,916 early in their careers. Set against $8,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $38,335. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Lansing Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #7 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $46,319. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #8 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $17,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #9 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $38,545. Set against $12,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College landed the #10 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,834 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $36,111. Set against $9,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College placed #11 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College earned the #12 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $33,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #13 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,865. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Oakton Community College placed #14 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Muskegon Community College landed the #15 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $43,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $13,891. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $41,235 early in their careers. Set against $13,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College earned the #17 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,995. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Kellogg Community College landed the #18 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College placed #19 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,595, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,196 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $37,040 early in their careers. Set against $14,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College landed the #20 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #21 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,681 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $31,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College earned the #22 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County earned the #23 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $9,785. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #24 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,227 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $34,001. That is a strong return on a $12,227 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College placed #25 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s medical/clinical assistant value ranking:
Narrow Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools by State
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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 · 204 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
