24 Best Medical Assistant Programs 2020
The best medical assistant programs can be found on this list. Two schools share the top spot: Bay Area Medical Academy and Platt College in California. Graduates of these schools' medical assistant programs earned a median income of $37,900. Medical assistant students who completed the program at North Seattle College had the lowest median debt of these top-ranked schools.
Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.
| School | Annual Tuition | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Medical Academy | $14,958 | Not Reported | $37,900 |
| Platt College - California | $14,629 - $15,310 | Not Reported | $37,900 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | $10,224 | $14,750 | $35,000 |
| Dakota County Technical College | $6,419 | Not Reported | $35,000 |
| Portland Community College | $9,670 | $9,500 | $33,800 |
| Southeastern Technical Institute | $8,476 | Not Reported | $32,900 |
| North Seattle College | $5,547 | $5,500 | $32,500 |
| Columbia Gorge Community College | $10,008 | Not Reported | $32,400 |
| Lane Community College | $12,020 | Not Reported | $32,400 |
| Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center | $13,662 | $20,101 | $32,200 |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | $5,670 | $9,500 | $31,800 |
| Mt Diablo Adult Education | $5,889 | $7,274 | $31,200 |
| Houston Community College | $5,460 | $14,855 | $31,200 |
| Alaska Career College | $13,693 | Not Reported | $31,100 |
| Central Oregon Community College | $12,609 | $8,437 | $31,000 |
| Wake Technical Community College | $8,912 | Not Reported | $30,600 |
| Lone Star College System | $8,070 | $7,341 | $30,500 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | $7,018 | $15,684 | $30,500 |
| Rogue Community College | $6,192 | $19,750 | $30,500 |
| Unitek College | Not Provided | $8,500 | $30,400 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | $8,736 | $9,079 | $30,300 |
| Santa Ana College | $8,788 | Not Reported | $30,200 |
| Moraine Park Technical College | $6,793 | Not Reported | $30,000 |
2020 Best Colleges Highlights
Learn more about the top colleges for a Certificate in Medical Assistant degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.
The Bay Area Medical Academy offers a program combining medical assistant, phlebotomy and EKG technician training. After only 9 months and 900 hours, students graduate with all three certifications, expanding their employment opportunities and hireability. The curriculum includes seven classroom modules which are completed independently of one another, followed by an externship in a lab or healthcare facility that totals 200 hours of first-hand, practical experience. Classes include training in laboratory techniques, medical law and ethics, anatomy and physiology, medical billing and insurance processing, and clinical and diagnostic procedures.
This program is certified and accredited by the California Department of Public Health, the National Center for Competency Testing, the Accrediting Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, and the Education Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Due to the rigorous academics and comprehensive training, graduates from this program find work at prestigious healthcare institutions in the Bay Area.
For students interested in receiving a certificate in medical assisting, Platt College offers a program that can be completed in as few as 11 months, allowing graduates to speedily enter the workforce in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, physician offices, and nursing homes. Medical assistants require expertise in both clinical and administrative tasks, and must be prepared to perform duties such as drawing blood, updating medical charts, measuring and reading vital signs, and scheduling appointments.
The program at Platt College equips students with these skills through rigorous academics and the completion of a hands-on clinical externship. Graduates are then eligible to sit for the National Certification in Medical Assisting from the National Center for Competency Testing, and even have access to free tutoring and exam fee. To further support and accommodate working students, Platt College offers classes at a variety of convenient morning and evening times.
Bunker Hill Community College offers a Medical Assistant Certificate program with a fall or spring start that requires a minimum of 28 credits of learning over two semesters. Students are prepared in administrative and clinical duties, and graduate with knowledge of Healthcare Provider CPR, EKG, and phlebotomy. In the first semester, classes include Principles of Clinical Practice, Medical Terminology, Understanding Human Behavior for Healthcare Professionals, and Medical Computer Applications. In the subsequent semester, in addition to classroom lessons, credits are earned through practicums, allowing students to get hands-on experience prior to graduating.
Graduates from the program find employment in a variety of healthcare facilities and are fully equipped to assist in the examination and treatment of patients, as well as perform administrative tasks.
The Medical Assistant Diploma from Dakota County Technical College is a 42 credit, three-semester program with the goal of training skilled medical assistants prepared to enter the workforce at the entry-level. Through classes such as Anatomy and Physiology, Laboratory Skills, and Pharmacology and Math for Medical Assistants, students will acquire the knowledge and skill to assist doctors and specialists in clinics or hospitals. In order to offer flexible options to prospective students, the diploma is available in part-time and full-time course loads, in a hybrid of daytime and online classes.
In addition, students complete a practicum that immerses them in the field for practical experience within a physician's office or clinic under the guidance of a licensed professional. After spending a total of 240 hours in this practicum, a capstone unit provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the concepts and skills they have learned, and integrate their knowledge while preparing for the national certification exam. The diploma program through Dakota County Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Portland Community College offers a one-year certificate program that prepares students for a rewarding career in physician offices and healthcare facilities. Admission is competitive, as the program accepts 24 of the 35-50 applicants for each semester, however, this results in a more rigorous academic environment. Students accepted for the spring semester start take classes during the day, whereas students accepted for the fall semester start have both a daytime and an evening option available. This accredited program includes classes such as Intro to Clinical Phlebotomy, Coding and Reimbursement, and finally, a practicum during which students will apply their acquired skill and knowledge in a practical setting under the supervision of a licensed professional.
Following completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to take the national certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant. In the state of Oregon, a passing score and subsequent certification are required in order to be hired as a medical assistant. Portland Community College has a 95% success rate for students passing this exam, making this program a strong option for prospective students.