2027 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 134 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in medical/clinical assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for medical/clinical assistant in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,529. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,234. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #4 place for medical/clinical assistant. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,801 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,801 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Kishwaukee College one of the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,328. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #6 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $39,704 early in their careers. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Suburban College earned the #7 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $46,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #8 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,149. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College placed #9 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #10 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $38,335. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $17,369. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College earned the #12 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $46,319 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $43,593. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #14 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $33,693. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College came in at #15 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $52,161 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $38,545. That is a strong return on a $12,988 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #17 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $22,525 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $41,891. That is a strong return on a $22,525 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #18 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $16,681. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $31,324. Set against $16,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $16,700. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #20 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County came in at #21 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kellogg Community College earned the #22 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #23 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,000. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $36,524. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
John A Logan College earned the #24 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $31,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
College Of Dupage placed #25 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,891 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $41,235. Set against $13,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s medical/clinical assistant value ranking:
Narrow Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools by State
More Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings
View All Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 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.
