Best Medical Assistant Programs in 2023 (Online & On-Campus)

Medical assisting is a vital part of any healthcare setting. With the right medical assistants, an office can run smoothly, efficiently, and effectively so that patients are in and out quickly and their medical records are clear and concise. Medical assisting is a fantastic job that has a wide range of different duties to perform and skills that make them stand apart from other medical professionals. Attending quality medical assistant programs is essential to giving students a head start in the medical industry.

So what does a medical assistant do? Medical assistants perform a variety of different tasks from taking patients’ vital signs, keeping intake records and maintaining the medical records of patients that cycle through the facility. Medical assistants can also help with tasks around the office or medical facility like cleaning and readying rooms for patients, taking down a patient’s basic information, and helping with scheduling appointments. Medical assisting is a great field to get into as it offers many opportunities for growth, a great foundation for further degrees in the future and opportunities to grow your salary.

The average median salary of a medical assistant is about $30,000 per year with an average pay rate of $14.00 per hour. Salary may vary based on where you are located and the corresponding cost of living. Medical assistants are always needed and employment prospects for this career are high. If you are looking for a great job opportunity, want something in the medical field that is easy to get into, and be a part of something that’s highly beneficial and fantastic for those that are a part of it, medical assisting may be for you. This is a fast-growing field and attending one of the great medical assistant programs can make a world of difference in your being hired after you graduate.

Here are a few of the best medical assisting programs!

1. Independence University – Salt Lake City, Utah

Independence University offers an associate degree in occupational studies that will qualify graduates to be medical assistants. You can also get some of your testing fees reimbursed if you pass this online program.

• Pass rates are high and the graduation rate is 100%
• Program Length: 20 months
• Admission Requirements: students must meet admission requirements for the university
• Tuition: $18,021
• Accreditation by the ACCSC

2. Weber State University – Ogden, Utah

Weber State University has a great opportunity for those that want both online and in-person options. You can get a great online degree through the university.

• Pass rates are good with a 50% graduation rate
• Program Length: depends on previously credits acquired
• Admission Requirements: students must have a 2.0 GPA and meet other admission requirements set by the university
• Tuition: $4,611
• Accreditation by the NWCCU

3. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Stevens Point, Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point is a great online option for those that want a medical assisting degree.

• High pass rates of over 60%
• Program Length: 120 total credit hours
• Admission Requirements: students must have and maintain a 2.0 GPA
• Tuition: $6,698 per year
• Accreditation by the ACEND

4. Medquest College – Lexington, Kentucky

Medquest College has a great online and in-person option for those looking for their medical assisting diploma.

• High pass rates
• Program Length: 10 months for a diploma
• Admission Requirements: can be found on the school website
• Tuition: $13,000 for the program plus $3,000 for books and supplies
• Accreditation by the Commission of Proprietary Education

5. Illinois State University – Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University is a fantastic online opportunity for those that want a fully online experience.

• High pass rates of 73%
• Program Length: depends on the number of credits previously acquired
• Admission Requirements: students must complete prerequisite courses
• Tuition: $9,000 per year
• Accreditation by the HLC

6. Sullivan University – Louisville, Kentucky

Sullivan University has a great opportunity for those that want both online and in-person opportunities, allowing students the flexibility they need to complete their degree on time.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 12 months for day time, in-person students; 18 months for online and evening class students
  • Admission Requirements: maintain a minimum GPA
  • Tuition: $199 per credit hour
  • Accreditation by the CAAHEP

7. Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Keiser University offers a fully online program that provides major flexibility in your overall education.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: less than a year
  • Admission Requirements: students must meet the university’s acceptance requirements and maintain a certain GPA
  • Tuition: $18,368 per year
  • Accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern States

8. Midwest Technical Institute – Peoria, Illinois

Midwest Technical Institute offers a mix of both online content and in-person classes so that you can get your medical assisting degree at your own pace.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 9 months
  • Admission Requirements: students maintain an average GPA
  • Tuition: $15,300 per year, but financial aid is available
  • Accreditation by the ACCSC

9. Park University – Parkville, Missouri

Park University has a medical assisting program entirely online that students can conveniently attend from anywhere they’d like.

• • Good pass rates
  • Program Length: a four-year degree
  • Admission Requirements: students must meet minimum general education requirements
  • Tuition: $11,730 per year, but financial aid is available
  • Accreditation by the HLC

10. Jefferson Community and Technical College – Louisville, Kentucky

Jefferson Community and Technical College has a great program that offers both online and in-person classes so students can fully experience the program and get the best outcome.

• • Good pass rates
  • Program Length: depends on the number of credits previously acquired
  • Admission Requirements: students must maintain a minimum GPA
  • Tuition: variable, financial aid is available
  • Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

11. Pinnacle Career Institute – Kansas City, Missouri

Pinnacle Career Institute offers students the option of taking classes both online and in-person and requires fieldwork that will help ready them for a career at any medical facility.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 10 months
  • Admission Requirements: students must be high school graduates or have a GED
  • Tuition: $14,048 per year
  • Accreditation by the ACCSC

12. ATA College – Louisville, Kentucky

ATA College offers yet another great online program with a two-year degree opportunity once students start the career track.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 10 months for the diploma, 17 months for the two-year degree
  • Admission Requirements: students must be high school graduates or have a GED
  • Tuition: $11,545 per year
  • Accreditation by the ABHES

13. US Career Institute – Fort Collins, Colorado

The US Career Institute‘s program is fully online and does not offer any in-person classes.

• • Good pass rates
  • Program Length: depends on how quickly students work through the program
  • Admission Requirements: students must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Tuition: $1,239 for the program
  • Accreditation is through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission

14. Kentucky School of Phlebotomy – Louisville, Kentucky

Kentucky School of Phlebotomy has a great in-person course that lasts for 11 weeks. Students meet twice a week in person for lectures and classes.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 11 weeks
  • Admission Requirements: students must be high school graduates or have a GED
  • Tuition: $1,800 for the program
  • Fully Accredited

15. Bluegrass Community and Technical College – Lexington, Kentucky

Bluegrass Community and Technical College offers an online and in-person class that students can take to receive their medical assisting certification. This is a great chance to get hands-on experience and to see the medical assistant field in practice.

• • Good pass rates
  • Program Length: 10 months for the diploma, 17 months for a two-year associate degree
  • Admission Requirements: students be 18 or older and be a high school graduate or have a GED
  • Tuition: $3,704 per year for in-state and $12,536 per year for out-of-state students
  • Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

16. Davenport University – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Davenport University’s two-year medical assisting program is offered to students completely online.

• • Great pass rates
  • Program Length: 61-68 credit hours
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 years of age or older and be high school graduates or have a GED
  • Tuition: $15,952 per year
  • Accreditation through the HLC

17. University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash – Cincinnati, Ohio

The University of Cincinnati is one of the best universities in the country and has a fully in-person program that will help students get the boost they need when starting their careers as medical assistants.

• • Good pass rates of 81%
  • Program Length: depends on the number of credits acquired previously
  • Admission Requirements: students must be at least 18 years old and have a GED or a high school diploma
  • Tuition: variable, financial aid is available
  • Accreditation through the HLC

18. Columbia College – Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College provides a great online opportunity that will help students get the experience they want and need to be effective medical assistants.

• • Good pass rates of 40%
  • Program Length: a four-year degree
  • Admission Requirements: students must at least be high school graduates, though having a two-year degree that meets general education requirements is preferred
  • Tuition: variable, financial aid is available
  • Accreditation through the HLC

19. San Francisco State University – San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University‘s program is very detailed and helps to get students ready for a career as a clinical medical assistant.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 160 credit hours
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED
  • Tuition: $2,599 for the program
  • Accreditation through the WASC

20. Southwestern Community College – Sylvia, North Carolina

Southwestern Community College offers a great online course that is fast and simple to follow along with so students can get a great education.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 13 credit hours
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Tuition: $2,184 for in-state students per year; $7,784 per year for out-of-state students
  • Fully accredited

21. Rochester Community and Technical College – Rochester, New York

Rochester Community and Technical College has a great in-person program that is perfect for students that want flexibility in their school plans.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 24 credit hours
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and must have a GED or high school diploma
  • Tuition: $5,638 per year
  • Accreditation by the HLC

22. Minnesota West Community and Technical College – Worthington, Minnesota

Minnesota West Community and Technical College has a great program that offers online and in-person content as well as real-life experience working in a doctor’s office.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 36 credit hours (as little as 12 months)
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and have a GED or high school diploma
  • Tuition: $5,424 for in-state students and $10,372 for out-of-state students
  • Accreditation by the HLC

23. Century College – Mahtomedi, Minnesota

Century College has a great online and in-person program that offers students the chance to get a fantastic education in medical assisting.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 51 credits
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and have completed prerequisite classes prior to applying for the program
  • Tuition: $181 per credit hour
  • Accreditation by the CAAHEP

24. State Fair Community College – Sedalia, Missouri

State Fair Community College has a program that offers both a degree and a diploma option for students to choose from.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 34.5 credit hours for the diploma, 61.5 credit hours for the degree
  • Admission Requirements: preferred that students complete prerequisite classes
  • Tuition: $3,600 for in-state students and $5,040 for out-of-state students
  • Accreditation by the HLC

25. Minnesota State Community and Technical College – Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Minnesota State Community and Technical College offers a great program with a huge range of content online so students can work around their schedule.

• • Good pass rates
  • Program Length: 37 credit hours
  • Admission Requirements: students must be high school graduates or have a GED and be 18 years of age or older
  • Tuition: $5,388 for in-state and out-of-state students
  • Accreditation by the HLC

26. San Joaquin Valley College – Hesperia, California

San Joaquin Valley College provides a great online program that is perfect for students that do not have time to go to a traditional, in-person program.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 9 months
  • Admission Requirements: the college suggests that prerequisite courses are helpful
  • Tuition: $15,900 per year
  • Accreditation by the ACCJC

27. Purdue Global University – Purdue, Indiana

Purdue Global University has a great online program that gives students the information and skills they need to pass national certification testing.

• • Good pass rates
  • Program Length: 57 credit hours
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses are required
  • Tuition: $14,241 per year
  • Accreditation by the CAAHEP

28. Rasmussen College – Altamonte Springs, Florida

Rasmussen College offers a blended course load that is online and in-person and is great for varied, rich learning outcomes.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: one year
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses required
  • Tuition: $10,935 per year
  • Accreditation by the HLC

29. The College of Health Care Professions – Houston, Texas

The College of Health Care Professions has a blended program of both online and in-person classes that provide hands-on training for in-person classes and skill-building.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 49 semester hours
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses are required
  • Tuition: variable, but financial aid is available
  • Accreditation by the ABHES

30. Laramie County Community College – Cheyenne, Wyoming

Laramie County Community College offers an accelerated program that allows students to complete their coursework quickly and efficiently.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 12-29 credit hours depending on the course of study chosen
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses can help to shorten the term of the program
  • Tuition: $3,144 for in-state students and $7,128 for out-of-state students
  • Accreditation by the HLC

31. Charter College – Anchorage, Alaska

Charter College has an online medical assisting program that offers both a certificate in Office Administration and a Medical Assistant Certificate.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 10 months
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses are recommended but not required
  • Tuition: $20,137 for a year
  • Accreditation by the ABHES

32. Daymar College – Louisville, Kentucky

Daymar College has a great program that is offered in several different locations and that is quick and easy to complete with dedication and perseverance.

• • Good pass rates
  • Program Length: 12 months or 60 credit hours
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses are recommended, students must be 18 or older and must have a high school diploma or a GED
  • Tuition: $17,000 per year
  • Accreditation through the ACCSC

33. Ultimate Medical Academy – Clearwater, Florida

Ultimate Medical Academy has a fantastic course online so students can keep working and not have to worry about making time for in-person classes.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 11 months
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses can help to reduce the time of the program
  • Tuition: $13,150 per year
  • Accreditation through the ABHES

34. Concordia University – River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University offers a great online program that students from all around the world can access and complete.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 42 credit hours
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses are recommended and students should be high school graduates or have a GED
  • Tuition: $309 per credit hour
  • Fully accredited program

35. Anthem College – Aurora, Colorado

Anthem College has an associate program that gives the student an associate degree in medical assisting after the course is completed.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: a 42-week program for a diploma, 74-week program for the associate degree
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses are recommended
  • Tuition: $27,714 for the degree and $14,692 for the diploma
  • Accreditation by the ABHES

36. Everest College – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Everest College offers an online program that provides in-person opportunities and has a flexible schedule with multiple start times and dates.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: less than one year
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses are recommended
  • Tuition: $16,000 per year
  • Accreditation by the CAAHEP

37. Front Range Community College – Longmont, Colorado

Attending Front Range Community College is a great option for those that want a quick degree that they can get on their own terms.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: between 2 and 3 semesters for the diploma and 2 years for the degree
  • Admission Requirements: pre-requisite courses are recommended, and students must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Tuition: $174 per credit hour
  • Accreditation through the CAAHEP

38. Career Step – online

Career Step is a fully online program that is great for students that want a quick program that they can work around their schedules.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: 12-month program
  • Admission Requirements: none
  • Tuition: $2,199
  • Fully accredited

39. American National University – various campuses

American National University offers a fully online program that is perfect for working adults that may not be able to work around a traditional school program.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: ranges from 10 months for the certificate to 18 months for a degree
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and be a high school graduate or have a GED
  • Tuition: $17,361
  • Fully accredited

40. Penn Foster College – Scottsdale, Arizona

Penn Foster College has a great online program that is perfect for those that want to be able to quickly and efficiently get their degree.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: depends on which certification students choose
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and have a GED or high school diploma
  • Tuition: $79 per credit hour
  • Fully accredited

41. Midway College – Midway, Kentucky

Midway College has a great advanced degree for those that are interested in medical assisting.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: a two-year degree
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and must be a high school graduate or have a GED
  • Tuition: $445 per credit hour
  • Fully accredited

42. Ashworth College – Norcross, Georgia

Ashworth College offers a great program for those that want a fast and efficient degree.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: six months
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and must have a GED or high school diploma
  • Tuition: $604 per credit hour
  • Fully accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council

43. ECPI University – fully online

ECPI University is a great university that is fully online and perfect for students that want a program that’s simple to follow and won’t require any face to face interaction.

• • High pass rates
  • Program Length: a two-year degree
  • Admission Requirements: students must be 18 or older and must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Tuition: $27,373
  • Accredited by the ABHES

Ranking Methodology

Schools were ranked based on several different factors including the ease of access to students, the overall program, the certificates available, and the overall quality of the degree. These are all fantastic programs for students and they offer a huge range of options that will get students the best degree possible and the best chances at a career after they complete the program.

These are just a few of the great programs you can choose from when it comes to a medical assisting degree or certificate. These are all schools that are accredited, certified, and prepared to help students find a career in the field of medical assisting.

For more programs check out our Physician’s Assistant degree page.

If you represent one of the schools listed here and you would like to change or amend any information, please contact us today to alter your entry.