2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in California
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
San Diego Mesa College tops our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Canada College earned it the #3 place for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $33,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Moreno Valley College earned the #6 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. 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.
Santa Ana College came in at #7 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. 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, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,368 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $28,444 early in their careers. Set against $12,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College earned the #8 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. 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 ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, 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. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #10 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College landed the #12 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $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 #13 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College earned the #14 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Imperial Valley College came in at #15 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. 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.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #16 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,332. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #17 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Cosumnes River College landed the #18 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern College Chula Vista placed #19 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. Students from in state pay about $1,344 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
Modesto Junior College placed #20 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College came in at #21 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $12,733. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
West Los Angeles College placed #22 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $65,978.
Miracosta College came in at #23 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
East Los Angeles College placed #24 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Antelope Valley College placed #25 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,729. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 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:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 163 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
