3 accredited schools across the Birmingham metro area trained 69 medical assistants in 2023–24. Here’s how they compare on cost, length and size, plus what the job pays locally.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
Sorted by number of 2023–24 graduates (IPEDS), a proxy for program size and stability.
This private for-profit two-year college in Jefferson County graduated 55 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24, the 5th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $14,539.
This private nonprofit four-year institution in Jefferson County graduated 12 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $12,360.
Public two-year college in Jasper that reported 2 Medical Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,556 ($7,112 out of state).
3 accredited schools in the Birmingham, AL metro area graduated 69 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Fortis Institute-Birmingham with 55.
Medical Assistants in the Birmingham, AL metro earn a median $36,770 a year ($17.68/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $36,100 statewide and $45,690 nationally.
Certificate and diploma programs commonly run about 9 to 12 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.