2 accredited schools across the Hickory metro area trained 28 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 public two-year college in Burke County graduated 18 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $2,432 ($8,576 out of state).
Public two-year college in Hudson that reported 10 Medical Assistant graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $2,432 ($8,576 out of state).
2 accredited schools in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area graduated 28 Medical Assistant students in 2023–24. The largest was Western Piedmont Community College with 18.
Medical Assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro earn a median $43,290 a year ($20.81/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $45,140 statewide and $45,690 nationally.
Certificate and diploma programs commonly run about 9 to 12 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.