by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,057 U.S. colleges awarded 55,276 degrees and certificates in Medical/Clinical Assistant. Certificates are the most popular award, at 68% of graduates. College Factual ranks 780 schools in its 2027 Best Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing, rising to $35,634 after four years.
A degree in Medical/Clinical Assistant explores Medical/clinical Assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Physicians, To Provide Medical Office Administrative Services And Perform Clinical Duties Including Patient Intake And Care, Routine Diagnostic And Recording Procedures, Pre-Examination And Examination Assistance, And The Administration Of Medications And First Aid. Includes Instruction In Basic Anatomy And Physiology; Medical Terminology; Medical Law And Ethics; Patient Psychology And Communications; Medical Office Procedures; And Clinical Diagnostic, Examination, Testing, And Treatment Procedures.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., medical/clinical assistant is a widely-pursued major, with 55,276 degrees awarded annually. 1,057 colleges award medical/clinical assistant degrees, an average of 52 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,395.
By level, the 55,276 awards include 37,527 certificates, 4,732 associate degrees, 2 bachelor’s degrees and 11,932 master’s degrees.
Women earned 92% of medical/clinical assistant degrees and certificates in the latest year (50,889 of 55,276). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (22,538) and Black or African American (12,245), and international students earned 261.
College Factual ranks 780 schools in its 2027 Best Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools ranking, including 187 for associate degrees. It also ranks medical/clinical assistant schools within 42 states. In all, 1,057 colleges offer medical/clinical assistant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common medical/clinical assistant credential is the certificate: 37,527 of the 55,276 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to medical/clinical assistant call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Medicine and Dentistry and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
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How long a medical/clinical assistant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 37,527 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4,732 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11,932 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to medical/clinical assistant, at 24.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 24.2% |
| Master’s degree | 17.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 9.4% |
| Some college courses | 8.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Medical/Clinical Assistant, with an average median salary of $39,400; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Medical Technician Assistant (Medical Tech Assistant), Podiatric Aide, Doctor’s Assistant and Pediatric Medical Assistant.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to medical/clinical assistant, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Medical Assistants | 1,226,184 | -2.1% |
Medical/Clinical Assistant graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing their program, $35,634 after four years and $32,689 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,519 |
| 4 years | $35,634 |
| 5 years | $32,689 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to medical/clinical assistant, with a median salary of $46,663.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Medical Assistants | $32,137 |
Medical/Clinical Assistant has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 29,039 degrees a year; the largest are Pharmacy Technician/Assistant (8,060), Physical Therapy Assistant (5,489) and Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other (4,386). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 8,060 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,489 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,386 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 4,277 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,204 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 1,676 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant | 663 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 497 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 304 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant | 258 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
