17 accredited schools across the Chicago metro area trained 686 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.
196 Medical Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit two-year college, the most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $22,788 for a program of about 9 months.
This private for-profit career school in McHenry County graduated 127 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24, the 2nd-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $17,925 for a program of about 53 weeks.
98 Medical Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college, the 4th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,380 ($14,430 out of state).
Private for-profit two-year college in Chicago that reported 75 Medical Assistant graduates in 2023–24, the 5th-most in the state. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $17,320 for a program of about 60 weeks.
28 Medical Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,252 ($11,232 out of state).
Public two-year college in Grayslake that reported 27 Medical Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,835 ($13,377 out of state).
Private for-profit career school in Gurnee that reported 21 Medical Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $16,250 for a program of about 45 weeks.
This public two-year college in Kane County graduated 21 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,240 ($12,138 out of state).
This public two-year college in DuPage County graduated 15 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,420 ($11,610 out of state).
Public two-year college in River Grove that reported 15 Medical Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,440 ($14,400 out of state).
14 Medical Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,168 ($9,504 out of state).
14 Medical Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,480 ($12,750 out of state).
This public two-year college in Cook County graduated 8 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,560 ($12,150 out of state).
7 Medical Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,410 ($13,230 out of state).
This public two-year college in Cook County graduated 7 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,288 ($9,312 out of state).
This private for-profit career school in Lake County graduated 7 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $16,675 for a program of about 10 months.
6 Medical Assistant credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school.
17 accredited schools in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area graduated 686 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park with 196.
Among schools that published a program price, State Career College in Gurnee listed the lowest total: $16,250 for tuition, books and supplies.
Medical Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median $47,270 a year ($22.73/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $46,090 statewide and $45,690 nationally.
Certificate and diploma programs commonly run about 9 to 12 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.