2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the Far Western Region
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 San Diego Mesa College this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $6,999. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Canada College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,405 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $43,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #6 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,368 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $28,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bates Technical College earned the #9 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Victor Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College landed the #11 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kapiolani Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,496. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $42,172. That is a strong return on a $15,496 median debt.
Renton Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #14 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #15 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. 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.
Shasta College earned the #16 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College earned the #17 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #18 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $14,699. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #19 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $20,335. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $45,385 early in their careers. Set against $20,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College landed the #20 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Peninsula College placed #21 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $12,730. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #23 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $6,176. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Skagit Valley College earned the #24 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $43,072. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College landed the #25 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $20,637 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $35,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in medical/clinical assistant:
Narrow Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
[Medical/Clinical Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/medical-clinical-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
