Medical Assistant Programs Near You
Medical assistants handle both clinical and administrative work in clinics and physician offices: taking vitals, preparing patients, drawing blood in some settings, scheduling and updating records. Below are 1,060 accredited schools that graduated Medical Assistant students in 2023–24, organized by state and city.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: IPEDS, BLS
- Schools
- 1,060in 51 states
- Graduates 2023–24
- 51,947
- Median program cost
- $17,236390 schools reporting
- U.S. median pay
- $45,690$21.97/hr
Medical Assistant Programs by state
Top cities for medical assistant programs
- Los Angeles, CA48
- New York, NY45
- Miami, FL24
- Riverside, CA18
- Chicago, IL17
- Detroit, MI17
- Phoenix, AZ16
- Atlanta, GA15
- Houston, TX15
- San Francisco, CA14
- Philadelphia, PA14
- Dallas, TX13
- San Diego, CA12
- Cincinnati, OH12
- Cleveland, OH12
- Seattle, WA11
- Denver, CO10
- San Antonio, TX10
- Sacramento, CA8
- Orlando, FL8
- St. Louis, MO8
- McAllen, TX8
- Fresno, CA7
- Tampa, FL7
- Charlotte, NC7
- Oklahoma City, OK7
- Baton Rouge, LA7
- Las Vegas, NV7
- Pittsburgh, PA7
- Portland, OR7
Largest Medical Assistant programs in the U.S.
| School | Location | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| South Florida Institute of Technology | Miami, FL | 1,211 |
| The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | Houston, TX | 847 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 788 |
| Unitek College | Fremont, CA | 631 |
| Charter College | Anchorage, AK | 450 |
| Northwest Career College | Las Vegas, NV | 415 |
| Mildred Elley-New York Campus | New York, NY | 390 |
| Bryan University | Tempe, AZ | 368 |
| American Career College-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 359 |
| The College of Health Care Professions-Fort Worth | Fort Worth, TX | 356 |
How to become a medical assistant
- Choose a program. If you want the CMA credential, confirm the program is CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited.
- Complete coursework plus an externship in a clinic or doctor’s office.
- Sit for a national certification exam (CMA, RMA or CCMA).
- Recertify on the certifying body’s schedule through continuing education or re-examination.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Certificate and diploma programs commonly run about 9 to 12 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.
What certification do medical assistants need?
Most states do not license medical assistants, but employers widely prefer a national certification. Common certifications: CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT) and CCMA (NHA). The CMA requires graduating from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program..
How much do medical assistant programs cost?
Across 390 schools that published a program price, tuition plus books and supplies ranged from $1,504 to $34,999, with a median of $17,236.
How much do medical assistants make?
The U.S. median wage for medical assistants was $45,690 a year ($21.97/hour) in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,050; the top 10% earned over $59,310.