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CostHelper > Schools & Job Training  > Medical Assistant School

Medical Assistant School Cost

How Much Does Medical Assistant School Cost?
 
low costLow: Training School Runs $1,200-$4,200average costMedium: One Year Certification Can Run $2,500-$10,000high costHigh: An Associate Degree Runs $600-$5,400 In-State; $5,490-$10,800 Out of State

Medical assistants[1] work with doctors in both private practice and hospital settings. While duties vary by office, general administrative work includes updating medical records and insurance forms, scheduling appointments, admitting, billing and bookkeeping. Clinical tasks may include explaining procedures, assisting in exams, collecting and preparing lab specimens and changing dressings. While on-the-job training is available at no cost, to become a certified medical assistant through a vocational school or community college, the program must be accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Typical costs:

  • Completing a course as a clinical medical assistant at a training school[2] costs around $1,200-$4,200. Courses may vary from a few weeks to a year depending on the school, how many classes are included and the length of the externship. The Heart of Georgia Technical College offers a six-quarter diploma course for $4,250, that also includes books, fees and supplies. Across the continent, Boston Reed[3] in Northern California requires 134 hours of classroom study followed by a 160-hour externship for their diploma program that costs $1,595.
  • A one-year certificate program through a community college averages $2,500-$10,000. For students who want to earn an Associate Degree the cost is about $600-$5,400 per year for residents or $5,490-$10,800 for out of state students for the two-year program. Oakland Community College in Michigan offers a one-year certificate for about $2,500 for area residents, $4,250 for students from out of the district and $5,900 for out of state residents.
Related articles: Physician Assistant Program, Nursing Assistant School, Dental Assistant School, Pharmacy Technician School

Additional costs:
  • The Certified Medical Assistant exam is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants[4] (AAMA). While not required, those with accredited training and certification are generally preferred in the job market, according to the US Department of Labor Statistics[5] . Exam cost for student AAMA members is currently $95 while non members pay $170. The cost is expected to rise to about $170 for members and $250 for non members in February 2009.
Discounts:
  • Vocational schools often advertise half off tuition rates during enrollment drives.
  • Health care jobs.org offers scholarship[6] and tuition information for those entering the health care field.
Shopping for medical assistant school:
  • To find accredited programs search the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) and Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)[7] websites.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Medical Assistant with Associates
Amount: $42,950.00 total
Posted by: Thinking in Ogden, UT.Posted: November 25th, 2019 11:11AM
School: 20 MonthsLength of Program: 20 months
95 credits earned with an Associates Degree
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Medical assistant
Amount: $17,000.00 total
Posted by: C. Rios in Fort worth, TX.Posted: August 16th, 2019 09:08AM
School: ChcpLength of Program: 9 months
Comes with laptop scurbs all equipment. 2 times a week
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Clinical Medical Assistant
Amount: $50,000.00 total
Posted by: Serenity Loraine in Bakersfield, CA.Posted: August 13th, 2018 10:08PM
School: Length of Program: 1 month
WASTE of my time and money honestly. I haven’t gotten hired or called back at any job site I applied at and it’s been 2 years
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Medical assistant
Amount: $14,000.00 total
Posted by: Tania B in Richmond, VA.Posted: August 10th, 2018 04:08AM
School: Fortis collegeLength of Program: 9 months
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Medical assistant
Amount: $15,000.00 total
Posted by: Lina008 in Cherry hill, NJ.Posted: April 13th, 2018 04:04PM
School: Harrah’s school of businessLength of Program: 7 months
Good staff . Different teaching techniques. Seems very promising. The only complaint I have is with supplies. Super later with uniforms and books.
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Medical Assistant
Amount: $21,000.00 total
Posted by: Robin Jarvis in Orlando, FL.Posted: January 2nd, 2018 02:01AM
School: Florida Career CollegeLength of Program: 9 months
Depends on the instructor you get as to how much you will learn. So don't care and give you an easy A, others will pack it on but you will know what you're doing by the end to pass your state exam.
Don't know where you get your information about 1,200-4grand for this course that is absolutely absurd
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Medical assistant
Amount: $33,000.00 total
Posted by: a user in quincy, IL.Posted: January 20th, 2017 02:01PM
School: Length of Program: 1.5 yrs
Love the program a bit expensive though
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Medical assistance
Amount: $14,500.00 total
Posted by: LaJeania Brister in Jackson, MS.Posted: August 25th, 2016 12:08PM
School: Delta TechLength of Program: 9months
Hands on training. Phlebotomy certificate, where you do training is where you work!
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Medical assistant
Amount: $17,000.00 total
Posted by: Gracie in Edison, NJ.Posted: June 21st, 2016 07:06AM
School: Lincoln techLength of Program: 9 month
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medical assistant
Amount: $16,000.00 total
Posted by: a user in silver spring, MD.Posted: March 6th, 2016 03:03PM
School: Med TechLength of Program: 1 year
Worst experience, school administrators are never there.. When they are, you're expected to be on their schedule.. Wouldn't reccomend it
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it sucks honestly, there XTRA MONEY HUNGRY.
Amount: $16,000.00 total
Posted by: Natalie S. in jamaica, NY.Posted: July 23rd, 2015 01:07PM
School: New life business instituteLength of Program: 12 months 2-on hand intership
The school is very unorganized, money hungry, never have supplies and books like their supposed to. Some teachers and staff are rude and nasty. Some are wonderful I wish I would of weighed out my options. Really wish I didn't waste my time and money.
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medical assisting
Amount: $2,400.00 total
Posted by: Tracey Wrightson in Pemberton, NJ.Posted: March 7th, 2015 02:03PM
School: Burlington county collegeLength of Program: 3 months
it's not very hands on, but I'm a unit secretary now, so it will definitely open more doors for me. I couldn't resist taking the class because it's 7 minutes from my front door, only Mondays and Wednesdays and 6 Saturdays. At the end of class I quality for sit for state and national testing. It also comes with a 160 hour externship opportunity that is optional. I opted to definitely take the externship.
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Clinical Medical Assistant
Amount: $5,430.00 total
Posted by: Swiggle in Killeen, TX.Posted: October 9th, 2014 09:10AM
School: First Response Medical TrainingLength of Program: 20 weeks/5 months
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Medical Assisstant
Amount: $28,000.00 total
Posted by: Angelena M. Phillips in Wichita, KS.Posted: August 25th, 2014 02:08PM
School: Vatterott UmiversityLength of Program: 2 yr
If this school was not accredited. What should I do to make certain that my cost and certification are legal and lagit.
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Medical Assistant
Amount: $15,700.00 total
Posted by: Iris Morgado in Mesa, AZ.Posted: June 4th, 2014 07:06PM
School: Carrington CollegeLength of Program: 10 months
I love this school!
Everything was hands on and it went by so fast!
I was done with school in no time!!
Everything I'm doing at my office now I learned at Carrington.
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Medical assistant
Amount: $1,200.00 total
Posted by: a user in Ontario, CA.Posted: November 13th, 2013 05:11PM
School: Baldy view ropLength of Program: 6 months
School program sucks but i got certified and hired at my training site so oh well. I saved a ton of money.
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medical assistant
Amount: $16,000.00 total
Posted by: tracy alston in alexandria, LA.Posted: September 20th, 2013 05:09PM
School: unitechtraining academyLength of Program: 11months
No one wants to hire someone from there
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Medical Assistant
Amount: $25,000.00 total
Posted by: V Sears in wichita, KS.Posted: February 11th, 2013 03:02PM
School: National American UniversityLength of Program: 12
It is longer than 12 months and too expensive
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Medical assistant aas
Amount: $16,000.00 total
Posted by: yanine in washington, DC.Posted: January 7th, 2013 10:01AM
School: Medtech collegeLength of Program: one year two months
It's a Associates degree
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Medical Assisting
Amount: $4,500.00 total
Posted by: Te'Anna in Oklahoma City, OK.Posted: May 9th, 2012 07:05AM
School: Metro Technology CentersLength of Program: 9 Months
Still in school, about half way done. Very hands on. Learning a lot of skills. And they pay for your certification test up to 3 times. Will be state and nationally certified when done.
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medical assisting
Amount: $21,000.00 total
Posted by: a user in cross lanes, WV.Posted: August 27th, 2011 08:08PM
School: everest instituteLength of Program: 10 months
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Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant is one of the best decisions I have made in my life
Amount: $5,000.00 total
Posted by: Rob B in Lansing, MI.Posted: April 28th, 2011 10:04AM
School: Lansing Community CollegeLength of Program: 2 yrs
I started out as a receptionist at a hospital. I took advantage of their tuition reimbursement and obtained my medical assisting degree. What is nice about the medical assisting degree is that it was a stepping stone for me to further my education into being a polysomnographer and a certified cardiac technician. A medical assisting degree opens many doors to other technical professions as long as you keep up with your CEU's (continuing education units). Not only am I making good money in the medical field but it is also very rewarding, enjoyable and interesting. It seems like every day I learn something new as the medical world is constantly changing and improving. It's definitely my niche.
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Medical Assistant
Amount: $16,000.00 total
Posted by: Meda in Oklahoma City, OK.Posted: March 10th, 2011 02:03PM
School: ATI Career Training CenterLength of Program: 10 months
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Medical assistant
Amount: $15,646.00 total
Posted by: sandra zelaya in Silver Spring, MD.Posted: May 24th, 2010 08:05AM
School: Everest InstituteLength of Program: 8 months
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medical assistant (clinical and admnistrative)
Amount: $5,000.00 total
Posted by: ErinS46 in Moreno Valley, CA.Posted: May 4th, 2010 05:05PM
School: RCCLength of Program: 9 Months
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medical assistant
Amount: $5,600.00 total
Posted by: hector morales in Brockton, MA.Posted: January 14th, 2010 02:01PM
School: lincoln techLength of Program: 10 month
the experience at lincoln tech as been a very good experience and knowledgable and fun. the people are great and the teachers really help you when you are in need of help with any topic or career advice.
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medical assistant
Amount: $14,000.00 total
Posted by: elizabeth D in port arthur, TX.Posted: November 19th, 2009 07:11PM
School: kaplan collegeLength of Program: 9 months
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Medical Assistant
Amount: $10,000.00 total
Posted by: brittany johnson in avon park, FL.Posted: November 3rd, 2009 06:11AM
School: kaplan unniversityLength of Program: 2 year
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medical assistant
Amount: $13,500.00 total
Posted by: ccu in fort worth, TX.Posted: October 7th, 2009 05:10PM
School: carere centers of texasLength of Program: 9 months
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External Resources:
  1.  www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-assistants.htm
  2.  www.medical-assistant-training-schools.org/school-locations.htm
  3.  www.adultedreg.com/bostonreed/index.cfm?processtype=department&deptid=23
  4.  www.aama-ntl.org/becomeCMA/how.aspx
  5.  www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-assistants.htm
  6.  www.healthcarejobs.org/scholarships.htm
  7.  ams.abhes.org/ams/onlineDirectory/pages/directory.aspx
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