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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in Illinois

7 Colleges in the United States
$11,447 Avg Student Debt
$39,949 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Badge [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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 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 Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in medical/clinical assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools

1
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

For return on investment in medical/clinical assistant, no school beat Lake Land College this year. 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. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $36,524 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #3 place for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $31,916. That is a strong return on a $8,801 median debt.

4
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Triton College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.

5

Elgin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $46,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.

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6

Lincoln Land Community College placed #6 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $16,681. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $31,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Joliet Junior College earned the #7 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.

8
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #8 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $36,111. That is a strong return on a $9,834 median debt.

9
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $13,891. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $41,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Waubonsee Community College came in at #10 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College came in at #11 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

College Of Lake County placed #12 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $9,785. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Kishwaukee College placed #13 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,328. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Black Hawk College placed #14 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,232 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $39,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College came in at #16 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $36,872 early in their careers. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL

John A Logan College earned the #17 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,479. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $31,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #18 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Heartland Community College came in at #19 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
Fox College Inc crest
Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Fox College Inc came in at #20 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,670. Students borrow a median of $21,579 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Fox College Inc earn a median of $42,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

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21

Midwestern Career College earned the #21 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Midwestern Career College is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,521. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Midwestern Career College generally make around $31,998. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt.

22

Rasmussen College Illinois came in at #22 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,581 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,327 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $32,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

State Career College landed the #23 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. State Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurnee. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of State Career College earn a median of $26,123 early in their careers.

24
First Institute Inc crest
First Institute Inc
Crystal Lake, IL

First Institute Inc came in at #24 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Crystal Lake, First Institute Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from First Institute Inc generally make around $33,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Lincoln College Of Technology Melrose Park ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Lincoln College Of Technology Melrose Park is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Melrose Park. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,237 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Lincoln College Of Technology Melrose Park earn a median of $31,098 early in their careers. Set against $11,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for medical/clinical assistant this year:

26

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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 · 41 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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