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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region

8 Colleges in the United States
$15,999 Avg Student Debt
$41,512 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for medical/clinical assistant students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region

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

1

Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in medical/clinical assistant in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $12,799. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.

2
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $37,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Crowder College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,719 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,436. Set against $14,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Salina Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $17,124. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Southeast Community College Area came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,964 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $37,325. Set against $14,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

St Charles Community College landed the #6 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

State Fair Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Garden City Community College earned the #8 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #9 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $37,483. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.

10

North Iowa Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College came in at #11 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $22,921. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $40,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Iowa Central Community College landed the #12 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $15,560 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $34,281. That is a strong return on a $15,560 median debt.

13

Neosho County Community College earned the #13 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,704. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Neosho County Community College generally make around $44,672. Set against $13,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College placed #14 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,616 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $33,912. That is a strong return on a $18,616 median debt.

15

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #15 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,136 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $32,840 early in their careers. Set against $14,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #16 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Hawkeye Community College placed #17 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,716 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $39,614. That is a strong return on a $20,716 median debt.

18

Highland Community College Highland earned the #18 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College landed the #19 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $37,273 early in their careers. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN

South Central College came in at #20 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $36,389. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.

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21

North Central Missouri College landed the #21 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $16,685. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. Set against $16,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Dakota County Technical College came in at #22 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $13,474. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $40,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Barton County Community College came in at #23 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $14,792. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College landed the #24 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,556. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $42,178. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Anoka Technical College placed #25 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,541 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $40,000. That is a strong return on a $21,541 median debt.

Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Midwest Institute crest
Midwest Institute
Earth City, MO
36
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Concorde Career Colleges crest
Concorde Career Colleges
Kansas City, MO

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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 · 69 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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