Online Medical Assistant Programs: School Comparison
Inside this guide, you will find a breakdown of various online medical assistant (MA) programs, how these programs work, how much they cost, and what is required for admissions. You’ll also find rankings of the best MA programs, and a description of the job market for medical assistants in the United States today. Continue reading for more information about what it is like to become a certified medical assistant online.
How They Work: Online Medical Assistant Program Profiles
Online medical assistant programs allow you to earn either a certificate, diploma, or degree on a more reasonable timetable, which is great for those who have full-time jobs (or even part-time jobs!), family obligations, and the like. The difference between certification, diploma, and degree programs is the length of the program, the amount of online instruction, and the starting pay. Certification and diploma programs take less than a year to complete. However, certificates are mostly online instruction while diploma programs are mostly in-person training. A degree program can take up to two years to complete, but they usually ensure a higher starting pay than that of a certificate or diploma program. Let’s take a closer look at the three types of online medical assistant programs available today.
Medical Assistant Certificate– University of Providence
The University of Providence’s Medical Assistant Certificate is a 10-month undergraduate program aimed at preparing students for the administrative and clinical aspects of medical assisting. Accredited by CAAHEP, it combines online coursework with in-person skill labs in California, Montana, and Oregon, along with a 160-hour practicum. In total the program consists of 16 credits, or five courses, that will give students the necessary experience through labs and practicum. This program even includes additional courses to ensure you are prepared take one of the three medical assistant certification exams: NHA-CCMA, NCCT-NCMA, and AMCA-CCMA.
Duration: 16 credits (about 10 months)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $5,653
Admissions Requirements:
- Completion of undergraduate application
- Official high school transcripts sent directly to the admissions office
- Criminal background check and drug screening
- Proof of CPR certification
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 in high school or prior college coursework
Curriculum:
- Anatomy, Physiology, & Nutrition
- Anatomy, Physiology, & Pharmacology
- Healthcare Ethics, Legal Issues & Infection Prevention Pharmacology
- Administrative Prac & Finance
- Internship & Career Prep
Best For: Students looking to enter healthcare administration quickly, gain some work experience, and consider a bachelor’s degree or beyond down the road.
Medical Assistant Diploma – Bossier Parish Community College
The Medical Assistant Program at Bossier Parish Community College offers a Technical Diploma. The program includes administrative and clinical training, with hands-on externships in local healthcare settings from private practices to hospitals. Students have the option to complete the required 52 credits as either a full time or part time student. Depending on your schedule you can complete this program in as little as three semesters, which is about a year and a half. The curriculum prepares students for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. Classes start in fall and spring, and up to 20 students are selected per cohort.
Duration: 52 credits (about 3 semesters)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $7,225.92
Admissions Requirements:
- Proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria
- Signed the Essential Requirements Form
- Completion of undergraduate application
- Official high school transcripts sent directly to admissions office
- Minimum GPA of 2.50 in high school or prior college coursework
Curriculum:
Core Courses: 7 credits
- Medical Terminology
- Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Program Requirements: 45 Credits
- Health Care Systems and Safety
- Advanced Medical Language
- Medical Supplies and Patient Preparation
- Laboratory Testing
- Laboratory Testing Lab
- Medical Office Administration
- Specialty Areas for Medical Assistants
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology for Allied Health Students
- Pharmaceutical Dosage Calculations and Measurements
- Medical Ethics and Law
- Developmental Psychology
- Medical Assistant Practicum
Best For: Students looking to enter the healthcare field quickly and who prefer more a hands-on learning approach instead of online instruction.
Associate Degree in Medical Assisting – Panola College
The Medical Assisting program at Mercy College of Health Sciences offers a two-year associate degree with 100% online coursework, including two in-person skills labs and 160 hours of clinical practicum with one of the institution’s healthcare partners in Kentucky, Nebraska, Washington, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. The associate degree requires that you take an additional 25 credit hours in general education courses like college algebra and writing. This amounts to a total of 60 required credits to graduate. As of 2022, students from this program report a 93% pass rate on the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) exam. The program is accredited by CAAHEP.
Duration: 60 credits (2 years)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $14, 572
Admissions Requirements:
- Proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria
- Completion of undergraduate application
- Official high school transcripts sent directly to the admissions office
- Minimum GPA of 2.25 in high school or prior college coursework
Curriculum:
Core Courses: 25 Credits in statistics, writing, introductory sciences, and leadership
Major Requirements: 25 Credits
- Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures I
- Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures II
- Diseases of the Human Body
- Medical Assisting Practicum I
- Medical Assisting Professional Components
- Medical Assisting Practicum II
Best For: Students looking to enter the medical assisting field with a higher starting salary and who are considering a bachelor’s degree or beyond down the road.
Finding Online Medical Assistant Programs in Your Area
Ask Yourself . . .
Like most educational opportunities, pursuing an online medical assistant education is a big commitment. To ensure that you are prepared to take the next steps, here are some questions to ask yourself about which online medical assistant program fits your lifestyle, finances, and ambitions.
- Do you enjoy interacting with patients and providing support?
- What medical setting would you prefer to work in? Hospital? Private practice? Specialty clinic?
- Are you self-motivated and able to complete online coursework independently?
- Are you passionate about helping people and providing quality healthcare?
- Are you comfortable handling administrative tasks such as billing and filing?
Answers to Common Medical Assistant Student Questions
It’s no surprise that students have a lot of questions about their online medical assistant education. From funding to accreditation to duration, here are the most asked questions by students about online medical assistant programs:
What is the fastest medical assistant program online?
The fastest medical assistant program is six weeks long, provided by Phlebotomy Career Training. Although the curriculum can be completed in as little as six weeks, you will have a total of six months to access the program once you have registered. This accredited program costs $650 to register and includes a voucher for the National Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Exam. All that is required is that you are 18 years of age or older. A high diploma or GED is not required but is preferred. Even though this is an entirely online program, you will still need to complete 204 hours of clinical internship, unless you have prior experience.
What is the highest pay for a medical assistant hourly?
The highest hourly pay for a medical assistant is $24.86, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average hourly rate for a medical assistant is $19.57, but your pay will vary based on location, level of education, and experience. For example, Washington reports the highest hourly mean wage for medical assistants at $24.21.
Is it hard to pass the medical assistant exam?
The medical assistant exam is designed to be challenging, but not impossible. The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam pass rate in 2023 was 77.28%. Therefore, most people who take the test pass, and if you don’t pass you can retake the exam three times per year. However, you must pay the CCMA exam fee of $160 for each retake.
Can you take the CMA test without going to school?
Yes. You are eligible to take the CCMA if you possess a high school diploma or GED and have at least 1 year of supervised work experience within the last 3 years. Work experience can replace education, but it is important to know that you will have a higher starting pay if you complete a medical assistant degree, diploma, or certificate.
Can you work online as a medical assistant?
Yes. Although most medical assistant jobs take place in a doctor’s office or hospital, there are some remote medical assistant jobs. If you choose to pursue a remote career, you will mainly handle administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, billing, and helping patients navigate healthcare systems.
Medical Assistant Program Cost Comparison: Tuition & Fees
The cost of medical assistant programs varies widely. Some programs charge by the credit hour, while others charge for the entire program from start to finish in one lump sum – this is especially true when the program is short and will be completed within the span of a typical college semester. For instance, our spotlight schools on this page range from $2,599 to $17,900 for their medical assistant programs.
Before applying to a school, take the time during your admissions process to look at all of the different costs you might incur during the program, a lot of which can be considered “hidden” costs like commuting and food.
To learn how you can finance your education, and for even more detail on cost, please visit our page on financial aid for online medical assistant programs.
| School Name | Program Type | Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Mt. Hood Community College | Certificate | $9,538 |
| Cerritos College | Certificate | $12,307 |
| Northwood Technical College | Diploma | $7,646 |
| Herzing University | Diploma | $13,995 |
| Southwestern Community College | AAS | $18,760 |
| Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell | AAS | $14,040 |
| Spokane Community College | AAS | $19,571 |
Ranking Today’s Best Online Medical Assistant Programs
Picking the right online medical assistant program can be overwhelming especially since you don’t know what makes a program a “good” program. The ranking module gives you a greater understanding of the diversity of the programs, as well as some starting points for your independent research. Cost, duration, breadth of knowledge, and accreditation are all considered in the ranking to give the clearest picture of factors you should consider when selecting a program. If you would like more information on how we rank these programs, you can refer to the “About the Rankings” link below.
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines, Iowa
Private
University of Providence
Great Falls, Montana
Private
Spokane Community College
Spokane, Washington
Public
Remington College-Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Private
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Private
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California
Public
Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier City, Louisiana
Public
Panola College
Carthage, Texas
Public
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus
Roswell, New Mexico
Public
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
Public
Northwood Technical College
Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Public
Amarillo College
Amarillo, Texas
Public
Lakeshore Technical College
Cleveland, Wisconsin
Public
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Coos Bay, Oregon
Public
Central Community College
Grand Island, Nebraska
Public
Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, South Dakota
Public
Western Texas College
Snyder, Texas
Public
South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, North Carolina
Public
Southwestern Community College
Sylva, North Carolina
Public
Cerro Coso Community College
Ridgecrest, California
Public
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Fennimore, Wisconsin
Public
Missouri State University-West Plains
West Plains, Missouri
Public
Highland Community College
Highland, Kansas
Public
Somerset Community College
Somerset, Kentucky
Public
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Public
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
Cumberland, Kentucky
Public
Mt Hood Community College
Gresham, Oregon
Public
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Public
Medical Assistant Certification Requirements
As part of your online education, you will have to pass a certification exam to ensure that you have met the training and knowledge requirements. Depending on the school and the location of your education you will take either the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam or the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam. This exam certification is necessary for employment as a medical assistant and concludes your education. There are many ways to prepare for the exam, but most importantly there will be non-refundable exam fees to plan for. For a more in-depth look at what these exams entail, refer to the list below.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Depending on what state you live in and the program you enroll in, you can earn your CCMA certification through the National Healthcareer Association. This exam costs $160 and you will need to pay $179 to renew your certification every two years. Some programs include the exam fee with the school fees, but others will require you to pay for it independently. To be considered eligible for the program, you will need a high school diploma or GED and to have completed a medical assistant training or education program within the last five years. Even though you have completed an educational program, you will need to study for the exam and the NHA provides multiple resources for exam preparation: CCMA Online Study Guide, CCMA Practice Tests, CCMA Preparation Package, CCMA Test Plan.
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) – National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
Some states and programs require you to pass the NCMA exam provided by the National Center for Competency Testing. The exam costs $119 and then $77 to renew your certification each year. Eligibility for the exam depends on your education level or years of experience. You can either complete a medical assistant program, or obtain one year of fulltime medical assistant experience. However, either route requires that you have a high school diploma or GED. As with all certification exams, you should prepare thoroughly and the NCCT provides various programs to help you succeed on this exam.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $42,000 | $56,480 |
| Alabama | $24,960 | $34,050 | $42,700 |
| Alaska | $41,390 | $50,160 | $64,300 |
| Arizona | $36,360 | $43,770 | $48,090 |
| Arkansas | $29,510 | $35,050 | $43,180 |
| California | $36,600 | $46,690 | $72,940 |
| Colorado | $36,820 | $45,770 | $56,570 |
| Connecticut | $37,380 | $45,780 | $57,110 |
| Delaware | $34,350 | $40,250 | $49,150 |
| Florida | $34,090 | $38,340 | $47,430 |
| Georgia | $30,620 | $38,060 | $48,020 |
| Hawaii | $37,770 | $46,930 | $58,390 |
| Idaho | $35,200 | $40,670 | $49,580 |
| Illinois | $34,770 | $42,850 | $50,270 |
| Indiana | $34,990 | $40,680 | $49,600 |
| Iowa | $35,470 | $42,980 | $50,340 |
| Kansas | $30,610 | $37,670 | $48,570 |
| Kentucky | $28,560 | $37,140 | $45,490 |
| Louisiana | $25,250 | $34,280 | $42,610 |
| Maine | $37,680 | $44,610 | $52,440 |
| Maryland | $36,130 | $44,010 | $55,250 |
| Massachusetts | $38,790 | $47,770 | $59,300 |
| Michigan | $31,550 | $38,300 | $46,080 |
| Minnesota | $38,550 | $48,890 | $57,520 |
| Mississippi | $27,110 | $34,040 | $42,380 |
| Missouri | $31,570 | $38,260 | $46,750 |
| Montana | $35,070 | $44,040 | $49,670 |
| Nebraska | $31,200 | $39,870 | $54,770 |
| Nevada | $31,940 | $39,940 | $48,810 |
| New Hampshire | $36,950 | $46,240 | $55,140 |
| New Jersey | $36,510 | $45,340 | $54,960 |
| New Mexico | $30,690 | $37,640 | $47,950 |
| New York | $36,570 | $45,440 | $57,490 |
| North Carolina | $33,430 | $40,190 | $48,380 |
| North Dakota | $28,410 | $40,880 | $48,390 |
| Ohio | $31,110 | $38,280 | $47,080 |
| Oklahoma | $30,000 | $37,240 | $46,020 |
| Oregon | $39,350 | $48,350 | $59,390 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,680 | $39,480 | $53,650 |
| Rhode Island | $36,560 | $43,980 | $49,770 |
| South Carolina | $30,110 | $37,420 | $46,810 |
| South Dakota | $28,920 | $36,280 | $46,040 |
| Tennessee | $30,340 | $37,350 | $47,890 |
| Texas | $29,640 | $37,570 | $47,010 |
| Utah | $33,910 | $40,270 | $48,770 |
| Vermont | $38,500 | $44,480 | $52,160 |
| Virginia | $34,460 | $40,240 | $49,920 |
| Washington | $40,660 | $52,600 | $66,500 |
| West Virginia | $28,060 | $34,340 | $42,820 |
| Wisconsin | $37,490 | $46,320 | $52,160 |
| Wyoming | $31,140 | $38,730 | $48,130 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 764,400 | 870,200 | 105,800 | 13.80% | 114,600 |
| Alabama | 12,670 | 14,680 | 2,010 | 15.90% | 1,940 |
| Alaska | 2,110 | 2,340 | 230 | 10.90% | 310 |
| Arizona | 20,200 | 27,010 | 6,810 | 33.70% | 3,690 |
| Arkansas | 4,270 | 5,130 | 860 | 20.10% | 680 |
| California | 108,000 | 135,700 | 27,700 | 25.60% | 18,280 |
| Colorado | 11,610 | 14,250 | 2,640 | 22.70% | 1,910 |
| Connecticut | 10,060 | 11,420 | 1,360 | 13.50% | 1,500 |
| Delaware | 2,830 | 3,440 | 610 | 21.60% | 460 |
| Florida | 59,310 | 72,800 | 13,490 | 22.70% | 9,760 |
| Georgia | 26,350 | 32,280 | 5,930 | 22.50% | 4,320 |
| Idaho | 3,850 | 4,940 | 1,090 | 28.30% | 670 |
| Illinois | 21,720 | 24,040 | 2,320 | 10.70% | 3,140 |
| Indiana | 20,210 | 23,170 | 2,960 | 14.60% | 3,060 |
| Iowa | 5,020 | 6,130 | 1,110 | 22.10% | 820 |
| Kansas | 4,760 | 5,380 | 620 | 13.00% | 710 |
| Kentucky | 13,090 | 14,920 | 1,830 | 14.00% | 1,970 |
| Louisiana | 10,740 | 12,060 | 1,320 | 12.30% | 1,580 |
| Maine | 4,200 | 4,490 | 290 | 6.90% | 580 |
| Maryland | 14,400 | 16,660 | 2,260 | 15.70% | 2,200 |
| Massachusetts | 5,460 | 6,290 | 830 | 15.20% | 830 |
| Michigan | 24,670 | 27,830 | 3,160 | 12.80% | 3,660 |
| Minnesota | 12,180 | 13,780 | 1,600 | 13.10% | 1,810 |
| Mississippi | 3,680 | 4,080 | 400 | 10.90% | 540 |
| Missouri | 11,740 | 13,030 | 1,290 | 11.00% | 1,700 |
| Montana | 2,000 | 2,490 | 490 | 24.50% | 330 |
| Nebraska | 2,660 | 3,030 | 370 | 13.90% | 400 |
| Nevada | 7,700 | 8,910 | 1,210 | 15.70% | 1,180 |
| New Hampshire | 2,720 | 3,140 | 420 | 15.40% | 420 |
| New Jersey | 19,830 | 23,370 | 3,540 | 17.90% | 3,100 |
| New Mexico | 6,920 | 9,130 | 2,210 | 31.90% | 1,240 |
| New York | 35,250 | 44,680 | 9,430 | 26.80% | 940 |
| North Carolina | 20,880 | 25,580 | 4,700 | 22.50% | 3,430 |
| North Dakota | 490 | 570 | 80 | 16.30% | 80 |
| Ohio | 22,210 | 24,220 | 2,010 | 9.00% | 3,160 |
| Oklahoma | 9,830 | 11,030 | 1,200 | 12.20% | 1,450 |
| Oregon | 11,960 | 14,520 | 2,560 | 21.40% | 1,940 |
| Pennsylvania | 27,920 | 31,740 | 3,820 | 13.70% | 4,180 |
| Rhode Island | 3,230 | 3,600 | 370 | 11.50% | 470 |
| South Carolina | 11,510 | 14,260 | 2,750 | 23.90% | 1,910 |
| South Dakota | 1,000 | 1,160 | 160 | 16.00% | 150 |
| Tennessee | 17,950 | 22,090 | 4,140 | 23.10% | 2,960 |
| Texas | 66,740 | 83,570 | 16,830 | 25.20% | 11,250 |
| Utah | 10,060 | 14,440 | 4,380 | 43.50% | 2,000 |
| Vermont | 1,280 | 1,420 | 140 | 10.90% | 180 |
| Virgin Islands | 110 | 100 | -10 | -9.10% | 10 |
| Virginia | 15,370 | 18,490 | 3,120 | 20.30% | 2,470 |
| Washington | 16,720 | 20,030 | 3,310 | 19.80% | 3,010 |
| West Virginia | 3,990 | 4,610 | 620 | 15.50% | 610 |
| Wisconsin | 13,000 | 15,380 | 2,380 | 18.30% | 2,040 |
| Wyoming | 980 | 1,150 | 170 | 17.30% | 150 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
