Why This Matters
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COLLEGE EDUCATION IS TYPICALLY REQUIRED
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most medical assistant jobs require applicants to have at least a postsecondary certificate or associate degree.
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105,900 MORE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS NEEDED BY 2032
As advances in medicine increase the average lifespan, the demands on healthcare services are set to increase steadily. Medical assistant jobs are expected to grow by 14% in the coming decade.
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POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $50,000 PER YEAR
Medical assistants earn a median wage of $38,270 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $51,710. Completing an associate degree program may help you access higher-paid roles.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in medical assisting degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education. Many of the programs on our list have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which assess the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of healthcare-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in medical assisting degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Medical Assisting degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 54 hours to write this article
- 84 universities and colleges we assessed
- 93 education programs we compared
Best 17 Online Associate in Medical Assisting Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Keiser University
Intelligent Score: 98.32In-state: $19,808
Out-of-state: $19,808
In-state: $27,162
Out-of-state: $27,162
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$667
Online, On-Campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
62
Herzing University
Intelligent Score: 96.65In-state: $34,284
Out-of-state: $34,284
In-state: $31,984
Out-of-state: $31,984
SAT: 1,275 or better
ACT: 17 or better
$464
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Alexandria Technical & Community College
Intelligent Score: 95In-state: $24,038
Out-of-state: $24,038
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$211
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
State Fair Community College
Intelligent Score: 94.35In-state: $17,464
Out-of-state: $19,000
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $266
Out-of-State: $322
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
61
Barton County Community College
Intelligent Score: 94.32In-state: $18,934
Out-of-state: $19,771
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$155
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
64
Liberty University
Intelligent Score: 93.81In-state: $14,791
Out-of-state: $14,791
In-state: $7,935
Out-of-state: $7,935
SAT: 1040-1250
ACT: 21-29
$390
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
64
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Intelligent Score: 93.11In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$198
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Northland Community & Technical College
Intelligent Score: 92.92In-state: $6,288
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: NA
ACT: NA
$211
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Intelligent Score: 91.19In-state: $19,084
Out-of-state: $24,932
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$194
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
Dakota College at Bottineau
Intelligent Score: 90.79In-state: $18,188
Out-of-state: $20,628
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 490 or higher
ACT: 18 or higher
In-State: $188
Out-of-State: $211
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Durham Technical Community College
Intelligent Score: 89.25In-state: $19,050
Out-of-state: $23,658
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
In-State: $78
Out-of-State: $268
Online, On-Campus
Commission on Accreditation of Applied Health Education Programs
70
Guilford Technical Community College
Intelligent Score: 88.87In-state: $22,400
Out-of-state: $27,776
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 500 or higher
ACT: 21 or higher
In-State: $76
Out-of-State: $268
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
66
Weber State University
Intelligent Score: 87.37In-state: $5,090
Out-of-state: $15,272
In-state: $7,935
Out-of-state: $7,935
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$291
Online, On-Campus
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
63
Colorado Mountain College
Intelligent Score: 87.14In-state: $18,806
Out-of-state: $25,646
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-District: $100 In-State: $200
Out-of-State: $510
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Ultimate Medical Academy
Intelligent Score: 86.06In-state: $41,373
Out-of-state: $41,373
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$475
Online
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
62
Rochester Community and Technical College
Intelligent Score: 85.05In-state: $22,370
Out-of-state: $22,370
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$212
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Kirtland Community College
Intelligent Score: 84.96In-state: $14,310
Out-of-state: $16,500
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-District: $200 - $212 Out-of-District: $260 - $276
Online
Higher Learning Commission
66-70
What You Should Know About This Degree
Most of the degrees on this list award an Associate of Science (A.S.) in medical assisting. Students will learn vital clinical skills under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, including taking vital signs, assisting during surgery, and performing diagnostic tests. Many courses also teach administrative skills such as record keeping and medical billing, and you can choose to take a course focused on medical administration if you prefer.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
There are no mandatory certification requirements for medical assistants, but most complete some postsecondary education. Potential employers are likely to prefer candidates who have completed a medical assisting program or associate degree.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in medical assisting programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? These courses require a high school diploma or GED. Some may require you to meet threshold ACT or SAT scores or take tests to prove your ability in English and mathematics. You should check that you meet the college’s admissions requirements before applying.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Many online medical assisting degree programs offer synchronous learning, where students attend lessons at a scheduled time but follow courses remotely. Others follow an asynchronous format that allows you to access teaching materials and complete your coursework on your own timetable. Check which delivery option your chosen program offers to ensure it fits with your schedule.
When you’re choosing your online associate in medical assisting program, take note of the application deadline and what documents you have to submit during the admissions process. Most colleges state their requirements on their websites, but you can contact the admissions department if you’re unsure.
You must also figure out how to finance your studies. Check the deadlines for financial aid applications and explore your options for scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans.