2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the The Plains States 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for medical/clinical assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in medical/clinical assistant in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $12,799. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $37,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in medical/clinical assistant will find it at Crowder College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,719 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,436. Set against $14,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in medical/clinical assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $17,124. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,964 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $37,325. Set against $14,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College landed the #6 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State Fair Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value medical/clinical assistant schools. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College earned the #8 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #9 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $37,483. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College came in at #11 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $22,921. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $40,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #12 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $15,560 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $34,281. That is a strong return on a $15,560 median debt.
Neosho County Community College earned the #13 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,704. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Neosho County Community College generally make around $44,672. Set against $13,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College placed #14 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,616 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $33,912. That is a strong return on a $18,616 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #15 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,136 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $32,840 early in their careers. Set against $14,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #16 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College placed #17 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,716 in student loans. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $39,614. That is a strong return on a $20,716 median debt.
Highland Community College Highland earned the #18 position for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #19 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $37,273 early in their careers. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College came in at #20 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the medical/clinical assistant program here. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $36,389. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
North Central Missouri College landed the #21 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $16,685. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. Set against $16,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota County Technical College came in at #22 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $13,474. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $40,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Barton County Community College came in at #23 for value in medical/clinical assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $14,792. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College landed the #24 spot for medical/clinical assistant value this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for medical/clinical assistant graduates is $15,556. Early-career medical/clinical assistant graduates make about $42,178. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Technical College placed #25 among the best values for medical/clinical assistant. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Medical/clinical Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,541 in student loans. Soon after graduation, medical/clinical assistant degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $40,000. That is a strong return on a $21,541 median debt.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for medical/clinical assistant this year:
Narrow Medical/Clinical Assistant Schools by State
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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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
