2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in North Carolina
[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 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for medical/clinical assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in North Carolina
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 Central Piedmont Community College this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $35,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #2 place for medical/clinical assistant. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Martin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. Students from in state pay about $2,523 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $42,820.
Johnston Community College earned the #6 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $33,235. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $31,404.
Nash Community College earned the #8 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,882 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $38,589 early in their careers. Set against $14,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College landed the #9 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Craven Community College placed #10 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #11 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $43,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #12 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,702 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $42,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College came in at #13 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $9,984. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $38,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute came in at #14 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Hudson, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,528, compared with $6,528 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earn a median of $35,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Community College placed #15 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Piedmont Community College earn a median of $68,517 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #16 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $12,388. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Gaston College earned the #17 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edgecombe Community College placed #18 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, compared with $8,784 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,153 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $49,528. That is a strong return on a $22,153 median debt.
Richmond Community College came in at #19 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $46,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
Mitchell Community College placed #20 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. Students from in state pay about $2,651 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $6,313. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $40,450. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #21 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $35,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #22 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $21,549. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $21,549 median debt.
Pitt Community College placed #23 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $20,700. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Pitt Community College generally make around $34,294. That is a strong return on a $20,700 median debt.
Montgomery Community College placed #24 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Montgomery Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,538, compared with $8,682 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Montgomery Community College earn a median of $30,388 early in their careers.
Davidson County Community College came in at #25 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,980, compared with $6,588 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $33,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for medical/clinical assistant this year:
More Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings
View All Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
