Why This Matters
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MOST MEDICAL ASSISTANTS HAVE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical level of education for entry-level positions in this occupation is a medical assistant certificate or associate degree.
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105,900 MORE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS NEEDED BY 2032
Thanks to an aging population and increasing demand for preventive medical care, the need for medical assistants is projected to grow 14% by 2032.
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EARN MORE THAN $38,000 ANNUALLY
The median salary for medical assistants is $38,270 per year, with the top 10% of workers in this profession earning more than $51,710. The highest earners in this career are those working in outpatient care centers.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in health science 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.
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 health science 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 Health Science 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
- 57 universities and colleges we assessed
- 76 education programs we compared
Best 13 Online Associate in Health Science 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
Parker University
Intelligent Score: 99.6In-state: $21,622
Out-of-state: $21,622
In-state: $12,870
Out-of-state: $12,870
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$690
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Northwest Technical College
Intelligent Score: 98.57In-state: $28,490
Out-of-state: $28,490
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$211
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Northland Community and Technical College
Intelligent Score: 97.06In-state: $20,001
Out-of-state: $20,001
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 1047-1158
ACT: 18-22
$211
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
Riverland Community College
Intelligent Score: 96.88In-state: $17,930
Out-of-state: $17,930
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 1120
ACT: 24
$210
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Casper College
Intelligent Score: 96.37In-state: $15,868
Out-of-state: $20,908
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $147
Non-Resident: $357
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60-61
St. Petersburg College
Intelligent Score: 95.93In-state: $19,485
Out-of-state: $26,089
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
Resident: $122
Non-Resident: $425
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Los Angeles Pacific University
Intelligent Score: 95.22In-state: $10,800
Out-of-state: $10,800
In-state: $10,800
Out-of-state: $10,800
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$475
Online
WASC Senior College and University Commission
60
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Intelligent Score: 94.45In-state: $21,982
Out-of-state: $26,984
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 480 or higher
ACT: 18 or higher
Resident: $156
Non-Resident: $332
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60-70
Roane State Community College
Intelligent Score: 93.79In-state: $15,805
Out-of-state: $28,621
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: 18 or higher
Resident: $171
Non-Resident: $705
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
63-64
HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College
Intelligent Score: 93.79In-state: $23,499
Out-of-state: $25,082
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 1150
ACT: 18-21
Resident: $200
Non-Resident: $325
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
62
Weber State University
Intelligent Score: 93.14In-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
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
60
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Intelligent Score: 92.51In-state: $5,357
Out-of-state: $20,877
In-state: $5,531
Out-of-state: $5,531
SAT: 1020-1250
ACT: 21-28
Resident: $192
Non-Resident: $379
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
Excelsior University
Intelligent Score: 91.57In-state: $26,790
Out-of-state: $26,790
In-state: $17,550
Out-of-state: $17,550
SAT: 1210
ACT: 27
$510
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
60
What You Should Know About This Degree
When it comes to postsecondary education in healthcare, there are several options. While a health science degree focuses on patient care, a degree in healthcare administration lets you take on support roles, such as healthcare coordination and secretarial work. Alternatively, a degree in nursing is less generalized than a degree in health science and focuses exclusively on patient treatment.
When selecting a program, it’s important to make sure it’s accredited by an agency that’s approved by the U.S. Department of Education. These agencies routinely review programs and student services offered by schools.
Graduating with an associate degree in healthcare comes with plenty of career opportunities. As mentioned earlier, medical assistants are in high demand. Other career choices, such as radiologic and MRI technologist, are expected to experience faster-than-average growth.
Depending on their location and chosen career path, students may need to obtain additional state licensing prior to starting work.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in health science programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Typically, admission to an associate degree program in health science requires a high school diploma or GED, along with good marks in math and science. A limited number of schools may require some work experience in healthcare or a related field.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Many of the programs on our list offer both types of classes, so it’s important to make sure a program offers a schedule and delivery format that suits your preferences and needs.
As you research programs in health science, take time to carefully track important information such as application deadlines, admission requirements, and options for financial assistance.
If your chosen school doesn’t provide much support for obtaining financial aid, research options such as state grants and scholarships from local organizations.
Compare School Options
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