2027 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in Illinois
[Medical/Clinical Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/medical-clinical-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for medical/clinical assistant students.
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2027 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in Illinois
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 Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $30,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $8,801. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #4 place 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, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. 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.
South Suburban College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $46,568. That is a strong return on a $7,904 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $8,604. 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.
Kishwaukee College came in at #7 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $16,681 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $31,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College earned the #9 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $52,161. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College placed #10 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $46,319. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
John A Logan College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,479. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $31,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #12 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $36,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black Hawk College came in at #13 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $16,232. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $39,761. Set against $16,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage placed #15 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $13,891. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $41,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,891 median debt.
Parkland College earned the #16 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $36,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #17 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College generally make around $38,331. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #18 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $10,388. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #20 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,834 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Harper College earn a median of $36,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox College Inc came in at #21 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tinley Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,670. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $21,579. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Fox College Inc generally make around $42,418. Set against $21,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fox College Inc admits about 70% of applicants.
Heartland Community College placed #22 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $13,266. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $48,710. That is a strong return on a $13,266 median debt.
Rasmussen College Illinois landed the #23 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Rasmussen College Illinois is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,581. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Rasmussen College Illinois generally make around $32,441. Set against $20,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midwestern Career College earned the #24 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Midwestern Career College is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $7,521. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Midwestern Career College earn a median of $31,998 early in their careers. Set against $7,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
First Institute Inc came in at #25 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Crystal Lake, First Institute Inc is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $33,597. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for medical/clinical assistant this year:
More Medical/Clinical Assistant Rankings
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
