2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong medical/clinical assistant education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1165 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 the United States
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
For return on investment in medical/clinical assistant, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $33,838. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Canada College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clover Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $14,405. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $43,425 early in their careers. Set against $14,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #7 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $4,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $27,401. That is a strong return on a $4,992 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #8 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,000. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $37,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #9 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $17,512. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $35,967. Set against $17,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College came in at #10 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $28,687. That is a strong return on a $13,735 median debt.
South Texas College landed the #12 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,378 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $32,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,378 median debt.
Lake Land College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $32,934. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #14 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $42,057. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Victor Valley College landed the #15 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #16 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $40,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,778. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $39,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $37,407. That is a strong return on a $16,172 median debt.
Ventura College earned the #20 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $20,250. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Shasta College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #22 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,112. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #23 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #24 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in medical/clinical assistant:
Other Medical/Clinical Assistant Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Medical/Clinical Assistant rankings across degree levels:
View All Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings >
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 · 1165 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 158 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.
