Most Affordable Online Medical Assistant Programs
Explore low-cost, accredited online programs that can help you become a certified medical assistant for less.
Written By
Blake Huggins
- Bio
Blake Huggins is a writer, researcher, and educator based in New England. He writes widely on a range of topics with specific expertise in the higher education, healthcare, and technology spaces. An Oklahoma native, Blake holds a PhD from Boston University and has taught college courses in writing and composition, religion, and philosophy.
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Online medical assistant programs offer a flexible way for students to enter a thriving field. With a 19% projected growth rate, 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 for 2023. You’ll also find additional tips throughout on how to further cut costs for your medical assistant program.
Most Affordable Online Medical Assistant Programs in 2023
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.
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Base Methodology for EduMed’s 2023 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
Affordability
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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 2022
| # | School Name | Type | Cost | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rasmussen University-North DakotaFargo, ND | Private for-profit | $$ | 2 | Rasmussen University-North Dakota gives students a well-rounded look at what it's like to work in the medical assisting profession through its diploma and certificate programs, which can be completed in one year or less. In order to prepare students for the workforce, the school has a curriculum that instills clinical and administrative skills needed to succeed, such as how to perform an EKG, take blood samples and vital signs, use critical thinking in order to work through problems, and communicate effectively with members of a medical team. With tuition costs at $269 per credit hour, this is an affordable option that is designed to prepare students to enter medical support careers. Program Highlights: Medical Assisting Diploma
Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 2 | Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette, IN | Public | $$$ | 1 | Purdue University Global has an online medical assisting certificate program that can help students prepare for a number of industry credentials, including the certified medical assistant, national certified medical assistant, certified clinical medical assistant, and clinical medical assistant certifications. The program, which takes a year and a half to complete, allows students to easily fit coursework into their schedules by committing to under 20 hours per week to their studies in classes conducted during ten-week terms. In addition to online coursework, the students get hands-on experience where they learn how to collect patient specimens for testing, take vital signs, and provide injections for patients. Program Highlights: Medical Assistant Certificate
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio28/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 3 | Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala, FL | Private for-profit | $$$ | 1 | The medical assisting diploma program at Rasmussen University-Florida, which can be completed in 12 months, combines online coursework with field experiences. This blend of classroom instructions and real-world experience gives students the opportunity to learn the theoretical foundation of medical assisting and then see how these concepts are applied in practice. Rasmussen provides different kinds of support to help online students navigate the program, including 24/7 technical support, access to subject matter expert librarians, and academic advising. In addition, students can work with a virtual tutor for help with assignments, as well as advice about time management, study skills, and staying motivated throughout the program so they meet their goals. Program Highlights: Medical Assisting Diploma
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio12/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 4 | Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN | Private for-profit | $$$ | 1 | Not only does the medical assisting diploma program at Rasmussen University-Minnesota give students the knowledge and skills employers expect, it also prepares them for several types of credentials that can help them stand out in the crowd when competing for jobs. Thanks to the classwork and experiential learning the program provides, when students complete their degree, they’re able to sit for the certified medical assistant, registered medical assistant, certified electronic health records specialist, and certified EKG technician exams. Being able to sit for and successfully pass these exams can go a long way toward helping graduates land a job after graduation. Program Highlights: Medical Assisting Diploma
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 5 | Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka, KS | Private for-profit | $$$ | 1 | Whether students are just out of high school and want to train to enter the workforce for the first time or they’re professionals looking for a career change, Rasmussen University-Kansas offers a medical assisting diploma that can be their first experience in the healthcare field. Students in the medical assisting diploma program at Rassmussen University-Kansas learn about the different medical procedures they will be performing as a medical assistant, including collecting blood and measuring patients’ vital signs. In addition, students learn laboratory skills so they’re able to conduct clinical lab testing in a safe manner. The program teaches students how to effectively work with colleagues to provide the best patient care. Program Highlights: Medical Assisting Diploma
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationABHES | |||
| 6 | ASA CollegeBrooklyn, NY | Private for-profit | $$$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio11/1 |
AccreditationMSCHE | ||||
| 7 | Herzing University-BrookfieldBrookfield, WI | Private not-for-profit | $$$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio12/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 8 | Herzing University-AtlantaAtlanta, GA | Private not-for-profit | $$$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 9 | Herzing University-AkronAkron, OH | Private not-for-profit | $$$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio13/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 10 | Herzing University-OrlandoWinter Park, FL | Private not-for-profit | $$$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 11 | Herzing University-BirminghamBirmingham, AL | Private not-for-profit | $$$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 12 | Eagle Gate College-LaytonLayton, UT | Private for-profit | $$$$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio40/1 |
AccreditationABHES | ||||
| 13 | Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines, IA | Private not-for-profit | $$$$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio8/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 14 | Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL | Private not-for-profit | $$$$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC |
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Base Methodology for EduMed’s 2023 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
Affordability
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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 2022
| # | School Name | Type | Cost | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwestern Community CollegeSylva, NC | Public | $ | 1 | When people graduate from Southwestern Community College’s medical assisting associate degree program, they expect to be prepared to work in a variety of healthcare environments, including government agencies, doctors’ offices, hospitals, and health maintenance organizations. Students should be able to successfully compete for these jobs as a result of the skills and knowledge they gain throughout the program’s curriculum, which includes coursework in billing and coding, exam room procedures, administrative office strategies, and anatomy and physiology. Program Highlights: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio10/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 2 | Lenoir Community CollegeKinston, NC | Public | $ | 1 | Lenoir Community College offers a medical assisting associate degree that students can earn by taking a combination of online classes and courses that are held on campus one night a week. The school, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Medical Assisting Education Review Board, has a curriculum that focuses on administrative office, exam room, and laboratory procedures. In addition, students take coursework that teaches them the medical terminology they're expected to know, as well as the legal and ethical standards that professionals are required to use in the workplace. Program Highlights: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio13/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 3 | Central Community CollegeGrand Island, NE | Public | $ | 1 | Central Community College’s medical office certificate, which takes less than a year to complete, is designed to prepare students to work in the front office in different medical environments. The curriculum was created to provide an understanding of the daily activities of medical assistants so students can perform administrative tasks, such as patient scheduling and intakes, as well as medical tasks like maintaining examination rooms, sterilizing equipment, and assisting with certain procedures. Students are able to finish this program in less than one year and by the time they work through their courses and successfully complete the program, they should be qualified to take the American Association of Medical Assistants certification test. Program Highlights: Administrative Medical Office Certificate
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 4 | West Virginia Junior College-MorgantownMorgantown, WV | Private for-profit | $$$ | 1 | People interested in West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown’s clinical medical assistant associate degree program can enroll with confidence knowing they will receive the same quality education they would in a traditional degree program. As part of the program, students learn crucial medical support tasks, including drawing blood and checking patients’ vital signs. Students are able to access technical support 24/7 if they’re having problems with the online system, as well as academic assistance when they need help with their assignments. Also, students can receive help preparing for their future job search through West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown’s career services. Program Highlights: Clinical Medical Assistant Associate Degree
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Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio26/1 |
AccreditationABHES |
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.
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.
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Kyra Sutherland
by: Kyra Sutherland
Kyra Sutherland has been a freelance writer since 2017 and enjoys infusing her work with her passion for education. When she isn’t writing she can be found building her backyard garden, experimenting in the kitchen, or chasing her two energetic boys and their feisty cat. You can find out more about Kyra on her blog No Nightlights.