2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in Virginia
[Medical/Clinical Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/medical-clinical-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for medical/clinical assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in medical/clinical assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
Leading the list is Tidewater Community College, our #1 best value for medical/clinical assistant in Virginia. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $35,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Shore Community College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earned it the #3 place for medical/clinical assistant. Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,752. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach earn a median of $32,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,200 median debt.
Fortis College Richmond came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, Fortis College Richmond is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,688. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Fortis College Richmond generally make around $23,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ecpi University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,484. Students borrow a median of $16,637 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $31,060. That is a strong return on a $16,637 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
National College Salem came in at #6 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, National College Salem is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,716. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,172 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $28,023. That is a strong return on a $24,172 median debt.
Fortis College Norfolk landed the #7 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Fortis College Norfolk is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,801. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Fortis College Norfolk earn a median of $23,035 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
