2026 Best Value Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services Schools in California

[Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 187 schools to find the best return on investment for allied health & medical assisting services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the allied health & medical assisting services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Mesa College, our #1 best value for allied health & medical assisting services in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the allied health & medical assisting services program here. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #2 place for allied health & medical assisting services. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the allied health & medical assisting services program here. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $57,242 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Canada College earned it the #3 place for allied health & medical assisting services. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in allied health & medical assisting services will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for allied health & medical assisting services graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in allied health & medical assisting services will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $33,838. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College came in at #6 for value in allied health & medical assisting services this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health & medical assisting services graduates is $15,008. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $48,969 early in their careers. Set against $15,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #7 for value in allied health & medical assisting services this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the allied health & medical assisting services program here. Early-career allied health & medical assisting services graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College came in at #8 for value in allied health & medical assisting services this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for allied health & medical assisting services graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #9 spot for allied health & medical assisting services value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $12,368 in student loans. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $28,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College came in at #10 for value in allied health & medical assisting services this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the allied health & medical assisting services program here. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #11 among the best values for allied health & medical assisting services. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the allied health & medical assisting services program here. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health & medical assisting services schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the allied health & medical assisting services program here. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Shasta College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health & medical assisting services schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career allied health & medical assisting services graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College placed #14 among the best values for allied health & medical assisting services. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 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.
De Anza College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health & medical assisting services schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health & medical assisting services graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Bakersfield College placed #16 among the best values for allied health & medical assisting services. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the allied health & medical assisting services program here. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College placed #17 among the best values for allied health & medical assisting services. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Foothill College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health & medical assisting services schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Typical student debt for allied health & medical assisting services graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Imperial Valley College placed #19 among the best values for allied health & medical assisting services. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career allied health & medical assisting services graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco placed #20 among the best values for allied health & medical assisting services. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #21 for value in allied health & medical assisting services this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health & medical assisting services graduates is $6,000. 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 ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health & medical assisting services schools. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career allied health & medical assisting services graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mendocino College earned the #23 position for value in allied health & medical assisting services this year. Mendocino College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Ukiah. In-state tuition and fees average $1,423, while out-of-state students pay about $10,003. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career allied health & medical assisting services graduates make about $81,203. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health & medical assisting services schools. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career allied health & medical assisting services graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health & medical assisting services schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,344 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Typical student debt for allied health & medical assisting services graduates is $11,205. Soon after graduation, allied health & medical assisting services degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Set against $11,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for allied health & medical assisting services this year:
More Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 187 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.