Online Medical Assistant Programs - Most Affordable

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Explore low-cost, accredited online programs that can help you become a certified medical assistant for less.

Online medical assistant programs offer a flexible way for students to enter a thriving field. With a 14% projected growth rate over the next decade, work for skilled medical assistants outpaces other healthcare support occupations. Earning your certificate, diploma, or degree from an affordable program helps you take full advantage of those trends, reducing expenses so you can graduate with less debt and focus on your career.
Designed as a starting place for aspiring professionals looking for budget-friendly options, this page ranks the most affordable online medical assistant programs. You’ll also find additional tips throughout on how to further cut costs for your medical assistant program.
What Makes an Online Medical Assistant Program Affordable?
Tuition varies widely among schools with a few key factors impacting the overall cost of your education. Use the affordability considerations detailed below to help you make a smart, well-informed decision that meets your needs without hurting your wallet.
How much financial aid you can get for your online medical assistant program
Financial aid from schools, government programs, and other outlets can significantly reduce education costs. Prospective students should complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal aid. Most schools with medical assistant programs also offer financial aid as do organizations like the American Association of Medical Assistants.
If the online medical assistant program has a class schedule that allows you to work while you study
Working while you study can be challenging, but it does offer distinct benefits. Receiving a steady income throughout your studies not only provides extra stability but also gives you more resources to cover costs. Specifics vary, but many medical assisting programs with online formats allow for flexibility on this, especially if you already work in the healthcare industry.
If the college is private or public
If you want to complete your medical assisting studies at a private school, plan to spend more on tuition. With few exceptions, public colleges and universities offer cheaper rates than private institutions, especially if you are an in-state resident, since private schools largely rely on tuition and outside donations for financial support.
How much of the medical assistant program coursework is offered online
Hidden travel and commuting expenses impact the overall cost. Virtually all online medical assisting programs involve at least one in-person component—usually a hands-on externship or clinical placement—but some may require more (e.g., meetups, skill labs, orientation sessions, etc.). Put those requirements into financial perspective to help inform your decision.
How much the college charges for you to apply
Some schools require a non-refundable application processing fee that costs $30-50 depending on the school. A single application may not cost much, but they add up if you apply to more than one program. Avoid that expense by prioritizing schools that either waive fees or don’t charge them at all.
What software and other equipment the school covers
Skilled medical assistants need the technical knowledge necessary to use advanced software packages and manipulate sensitive medical instruments. Some schools provide those tools for you or include them with tuition. Other programs expect students to cover those expenses, a hidden cost that could raise your final price tag.
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How to Lower the Cost of Your Online Medical Assistant Degree
Expenses can add up even for the most affordable online medical assisting programs. Fortunately, there are a few ways to lower the cost. Here are a few budget-friendly tips to help lessen the burden.
- Search for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid designed specifically for medical assistant students.
Need or merit-based awards like scholarships and grants can go a long way, especially because they’re free and don’t need repaid, unlike student loans. Many medical assisting schools automatically place you in contention for financial aid when you apply, and some also connect incoming students with outside funding. See our guide to online medical assisting programs with financial aid for more information.
- Maximize student discounts
Individual student discounts may seem insignificant at first, but they do save you money and accumulate over time. For example, if you need to travel for school, companies like Kayak offer discounts for healthcare workers, applicable to rental cars, hotel reservations, and airfare. Our page on student discounts provides more detail and lists 50 different ways you can save.
- Utilize payment plans
Medical assisting programs often extend options for students who want to spread out their tuition expenses over time. For example, several schools included the ranking above partner with third-party providers to offer accommodating payment plans with reduced interest. Those plans aren’t always explicitly advertised, so it’s worth contacting financial aid offices to discuss your options.
Most Affordable Online Medical Assistant Programs
While many considerations go into choosing a school, affordability is often the deciding factor. With that in mind, we developed the following ranking of the most affordable online medical assistant programs found at community colleges and universities using the latest data from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System). See “About the Ranking” below for more details on our rankings methodology.
Panola College
Carthage, Texas
Why We Selected Panola College:
- Panola College offers a job competency guarantee with up to 12 tuition-free credit hours for skill enhancement.
- Panola College provides specialized career tracks in fields like education and energy, offering focused career development.
- Panola College's programs include opportunities for technical skills testing, allowing students to earn credits based on prior experience.
Program Details
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Average In-State Tuition$792
- Average Institutional Aid$3,929
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course72%
- % of Students Receiving an Award30%
- Student/Faculty Ratio14/1
Northwood Technical College
Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Why We Selected Northwood Technical College:
- Exceptional AAMA pass rates ensure high certification success.
- Hands-on learning through a six-week clinical office practicum enhances practical skills.
- 100% employment rate within six months of graduation demonstrates strong job placement outcomes.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$4,570
- Average Institutional Aid$748
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course73%
- % of Students Receiving an Award62%
- Student/Faculty Ratio7/1
Amarillo College
Amarillo, Texas
Why We Selected Amarillo College:
- Graduates are entitled to sit for national certification exams, enhancing job prospects.
- The program's first cohort achieved a 100% pass rate on national certification exams, demonstrating its effectiveness.
- Hands-on training prepares students for diverse roles in healthcare settings, such as physician's offices.
Program Details
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Average In-State Tuition$1,128
- Average Institutional Aid$740
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course55%
- % of Students Receiving an Award33%
- Student/Faculty Ratio18/1
Western Texas College
Snyder, Texas
Why We Selected Western Texas College:
- The program offers flexible online courses for convenience and scheduling flexibility.
- Employer partnerships provide students with practical experience and job opportunities in healthcare settings.
- Faculty expertise includes experienced practitioners who serve as role models for lifelong learning.
Program Details
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Average In-State Tuition$3,150
- Average Institutional Aid$4,562
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course26%
- % of Students Receiving an Award39%
- Student/Faculty Ratio20/1
Central Community College
Grand Island, Nebraska
Why We Selected Central Community College:
- The Medical Assisting program offers a high job placement rate of 95.83%.
- The program is accredited by CAAHEP, ensuring rigorous educational standards.
- Students gain practical experience through required phlebotomy rotations and practicum courses.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$2,760
- Average Institutional Aid$954
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course72%
- % of Students Receiving an Award46%
- Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Why We Selected Northeast Wisconsin Technical College:
- The program offers flexible online learning with real-world hands-on training.
- Employer tuition reimbursement programs are available through partnerships like BayCare Clinic.
- Students gain specialized skills in eye care prescreening and specialty testing procedures.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$4,230
- Average Institutional Aid$1,244
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course41%
- % of Students Receiving an Award46%
- Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, North Carolina
Why We Selected South Piedmont Community College:
- The program offers specialized training in both medical assisting and laboratory assisting.
- The curriculum includes hands-on clinical experience to enhance practical skills.
- Employer partnerships provide students with valuable networking opportunities.
Program Details
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Average In-State Tuition$1,824
- Average Institutional AidN/A
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course76%
- % of Students Receiving an Award27%
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
Missouri State University-West Plains
West Plains, Missouri
Why We Selected Missouri State University-West Plains:
- The program offers eligibility for Missouri's Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant.
- The curriculum includes specialized career tracks like Healthcare Data Analytics and Medical Coding.
- Employment opportunities are available in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$4,080
- Average Institutional Aid$3,059
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course62%
- % of Students Receiving an Award25%
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
Cerro Coso Community College
Ridgecrest, California
Why We Selected Cerro Coso Community College:
- The program offers a Prerequisite Challenge option for students with equivalent experience.
- The Medical Assisting program is authorized by the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants.
- Students gain real-world experience through clinical placements in various healthcare settings.
Program Details
- AccreditationACCJC
- Average In-State Tuition$1,380
- Average Institutional Aid$400
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course80%
- % of Students Receiving an Award28%
- Student/Faculty Ratio22/1
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
Cumberland, Kentucky
Why We Selected Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College:
- Accelerated program allows students to work while taking classes.
- Employer partnerships provide practical experience in medical settings.
- Hands-on training prepares students for diverse clinical and administrative roles.
Program Details
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Average In-State Tuition$4,296
- Average Institutional Aid$1,943
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course50%
- % of Students Receiving an Award37%
- Student/Faculty Ratio17/1
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘24-’25 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves.
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic counseling on campus and/or online.
- The existence of career placement services on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system to represent this category with laptop icons.
- % in Online Ed. – Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time, as self-reported by the school.
- % Receiving Award – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Avg. Inst. Aid – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024