Jobs in the healthcare i ndustry have long been a ticket to solid, respectable, stable employment. The medical industry has been booming for so long that it’s hard to remember a time when job demand hasn’t been strong, and all signs point toward the future bringing more of the same. In a nearly $12 trillion global industry, the analysts from international consultancy Deloitte expect another 5 percent growth between 2019 and 2023.
This is opening up a big window for entry-level positions, creating opportunities for anyone with the right training to land jobs and advance careers in an industry known for stability and good pay.
One way to get into the field quickly and take advantage of the boom without saddling yourself with a boatload of debt is to become qualified for a medical assistant position. Like most jobs in healthcare, the demand for MA’s is skyrocketing… the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a lightning fast 23% increase over the course of the next decade.
With a medical assistant diploma, you can land one of those positions in less than a year, and by picking an online program, you can do it with minimal disruptions to your family life and other commitments.
While you’re exploring your options for the right medical assistant diploma with online courses, it only makes sense to find the most affordable programs available to you too– and that’s exactly what you’ll find here.
Does a Diploma Meet the Requirements for Medical Assistant Certification?
Yes. Professional certification is becoming more and more important in the field to ensure that MAs have been trained with the right knowledge and skills, and a diploma program can certainly provide that training.
Certification is an entirely voluntary process, but there are a growing number of employers that won’t even consider job candidates who aren’t nationally certified. This means it’s definitely something you want to be thinking about.
There are two main organizations in the U.S. that offer voluntary certification for medical assistants:
- American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the oldest and most widely recognized certification agency, offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. This exam-based certification requires you to complete a diploma, certificate or associate’s degree program in medical assisting accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES, the two agencies responsible for verifying the quality and completeness of medical assistant programs. As of recently, AAMA will consider programs that aren’t accredited, though they do require a full transcript review to ensure curriculum requirements were met.
- American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential, an exam-based certification that requires you to hold a diploma, certificate or associate’s degree in medical assisting from an accredited school. Program-level accreditation is not required.
In both cases, the educational requirement can be fulfilled simply by completing a medical assistant program at the diploma, certificate, or associate’s level.
A diploma program fills the middle ground between two-year associate’s degrees and the shorter, more compact certificate programs. Typically taking about a year to complete, a diploma program offers a similar curriculum to what you’d find in the shorter certificate programs, but covering those subjects in greater depth and at a more digestible pace, while costing considerably less than a full associate’s degree. You could pretty easily argue that it’s the best option available, giving you a rigorous and focused education in a reasonable length of time and at a reasonable cost.
Can You Count On Online Medical Assistant Diploma Programs For a Solid Education?
Since healthcare is definitely a hands-on industry, you might wonder if online programs will really get the job done when it comes to providing a complete education.
You can only qualify for CMA or RMA certification if you have completed a practicum in the form of a supervised internship or externship as part of your medical assistant program. It follows that all accredited programs include exactly that kind of hands-on, real-world training.
That means that every program we feature is actually hybrid, combining the best of both worlds—online interactive coursework in subjects like medical terminology, billing and coding, and medical ethics that you can dive into on your own time from anywhere… in addition to on-campus labs and on-site practicums that put you in simulated and real-world environments for hands-on learning of things like anatomy, physiology, lab work, and the many aspects of direct patient care.
Although your on-site attendance involves some regular commitments, many of these courses allow evening or weekend attendance. And the online components of most programs are delivered asynchronously, which means that you can take your class any time of the day or night, fitting in your homework at 3am in your PJs if you want. Great connectivity and state-of-the-art virtual classrooms ensure you get the same comprehensive training as traditional students… at a lower cost and with more flexibility.
Why Accreditation is Important in Selecting a Medical Assistant Diploma Program
To deliver that comprehensive training effectively, you need to be sure you are picking a program that checks all the right boxes in terms of faculty, curriculum, and resources to get the job done. A diploma isn’t a good value if it’s not getting you in the door for the right credentials, no matter how inexpensive it might be.
That’s why we only considered diploma programs with specialty accreditation from one of the two agencies that review, vet and grant accreditation to qualified programs:
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Although some of the details differ, both agencies put schools through a rigorous process that involves external evaluation, and on-site visits to review their adherence to standards in everything from student finance policies, admissions and grading processes and truth-in-advertising to faculty and program management standards, curriculum quality, and laboratory resources.
Having gone through and met those high standards isn’t just a one-and-done deal, either. Schools are subject to continuous improvement processes and regular re-evaluation and renewals to ensure they’re keeping up with the latest technologies, practices, and standards in the field.
How We Picked the Best Value Online Medical Assistant Diploma Programs
Although accreditation was an essential element for every school we considered, we also took other steps to ensure you’re looking at diploma programs that offer you the best value for your dollars.
First, the online aspects of the programs are essential. Nothing screams value like a school that lets you be the final judge of how and when to spend your time. It’s also true that online programs tend to be less expensive overall—no classrooms to pay for!
But because healthcare and medical education is a hands-on business and all these programs have at least some on-campus requirements, we made our tuition assessments on a state-by-state basis, going with the best priced programs in each state. You will have to participate in internships, externships, and other on-site courses for the required patient contact hours, so you still need a school that is close to home.
We ranked all schools against other schools in the same state, and only within the same category, public or private. Because funding mechanisms and standards vary between public and private schools, we felt it made the most sense to compare like-to-like.
Among those, we only include schools that fall below the state average for total estimated program cost. In states where only one school offers a diploma program, we still evaluated it against costs of schools in neighboring states to ensure it can truly be considered a great value.
And although we’re confident these programs will meet all your needs for an affordable medical assistant diploma, we highlight other points that would be useful to you in choosing the right option:
- Quality of interactive learning features
- Day or evening courses
- Community and partner relationships
- Accelerated class options
- Extras like school-issued iPads or free academic tutoring
State-by-State Guide to the Best Value Online Medical Assistant Diploma Programs
In the end we identified the absolute lowest cost medical assistant diploma programs in each state that hold either CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation, featuring only those programs that offer some online curriculum. Then to make sure the list was more than just list a of programs and tuition rates; we give you everything you need to identify the best choice for your personal needs.
Alabama
Birmingham, AL
Website
Diploma in Medical Assisting (online)
Estimated program cost: $19,720
Only private program in Alabama offering an option with online courses
- Part-time and full-time options available
- Fully online classes complement exciting, hands-on learning opportunities
- Interactive online learning cohort features easy access to instructors and advisors
At Herzing University, online learning from a prestigious private university is available to you at a reasonable rate when compared to other high caliber private schools. In as little as 10 months you can learn the skills needed to become a medical assistant in the fast-paced healthcare industry, thanks to Herzing’s online medical assistant diploma program. This engaging program combines online classes with hands-on clinical labs and an externship for a truly well-rounded course of study that won’t break the bank.
Connecticut
Stratford, CT
Website
Medical Assistant Program (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $16,680
$658 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Highly esteemed instructors have years of practical experience
- Blended learning environment combines the convenience of online courses with the value of hands-on learning
- Program can be completed through either day or evening courses for the best in flexibility
Porter and Chester Institute is Connecticut’s premiere institution for career-focused learning programs that are designed with affordability in mind! Their medical assisting diploma program quickly takes you from the classroom to the healthcare environment where you’ll serve as a vital member of the healthcare team. This convenient program can be completed in as little as nine months with day courses or as long as 15 months if you need the flexibility of evening courses. The interactive learning environment features both online and onsite classes for a truly comprehensive course of study.
Florida
Spring Hill, FL
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $13,110
$1,422 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Outstanding career services help you achieve professional success upon graduation
- Program features either morning or evening classes for the best in flexibility and convenience
- Academic tutoring available
An exciting career in medical assisting is just ten months away, thanks to ATA College’s blended medical assistant diploma program! With flexibility and convenience in mind, ATA offers either morning or evening class times, both of which feature four hybrid classes per week. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the CMA exam and begin working as a valuable member of the healthcare team in medical offices, hospitals, urgent care centers, and other settings.
Tampa, FL
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $12,038
$2,494 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Blended learning features on-campus classes three days a week complemented with online learning
- Each student receives an iPad to facilitate online learning
Altierus Career College knows a thing or two about producing career-ready professionals, and its medical assistant diploma program is among this school’s outstanding educational options. Featuring a convenient hybrid delivery method that combines three on-campus days with online learning, the Altierus medical assistant diploma program prepares you with contemporary courses in all areas of medicine, including orthopedics, emergency medicine, dermatology, cardiology, obstetrics, and much more! To further facilitate the online learning process here, each student receives an iPad upon admission. There’s no better time than now to earn your diploma in medical assisting, and no better school to earn it at than Altierus!
Georgia
Rome, GA
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $5,400
$233 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Program offered at six campuses for the best in flexibility and convenience
- Part of the trusted Technical College System of Georgia
A career in medical assisting has never been more convenient or more affordable, thanks to the Georgia Northwestern Technical College hybrid medical assisting diploma program. Part of the expansive Technical College System of Georgia, GNTC comes with outstanding learning and workforce development opportunities for the most comprehensive pathway to a career in medical assisting. With six campuses, convenient and flexible hybrid learning, and a reputation as one of the most trusted institutions in the state, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is your ticket to success in the medical assisting field.
Gainesville, GA
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $5,400
$233 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Online and hybrid courses through the Blackboard learning system offer flexibility and convenience
The Lanier Technical College Medical Assisting Diploma features the convenience of interactive online courses, a stellar reputation among regional employers, and a truly affordable price tag! Through a combination of hands-on learning, online course using the interactive Blackboard learning system, and a seminar and externship to cap off the program, students gain the clinical skills and theoretical knowledge they need to serve as a valuable member of the healthcare team, whether in physicians’ offices, clinics, or hospitals.
Idaho
Boise, ID
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $15,910
Only private program in Idaho offering an option with online courses
- Career services available for success after graduation
- Program features three courses a week that are delivered through a convenient hybrid format
Eagle Gate College is Idaho’s path to a career in medical assisting! With a focus on affordability and convenience, the medical assisting diploma program features a hybrid course delivery and a truly affordable price tag. In just ten months, this program allows you to learn the skills needed to serve as a valuable member of the healthcare team. Choose Eagle Gate College for your medical assisting education and you’ll complete classes just three days a week as you learn about transcription, charting, patient vital signs, injections, and more.
Illinois
Aurora/Naperville/Rockford/Romeoville/Juliet, IL
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $13,260
Only private program in Illinois offering an option with online courses
- Program can be completed in just 12 months through blended courses
- CMA or RMA exam fee is included in the cost of tuition
Rasmussen College prepares students like you to become a valuable and trusted member of the healthcare team through its 12 month medical assistant diploma program. A convenient hybrid design and reasonable tuition rates come together to make this program as accessible as it is affordable. This is a program designed to prepare you with the job-ready skills you need for the best chance at success in the field of medical assisting. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the CMA or RMA, and Rasmussen will cover the costs. From real-world patient care to medical procedures training to working as part of a team, Rasmussen’s medical assistant diploma program includes training in everything you need for succeed.
Kentucky
Henderson, KY
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $9,048
Only public program in Kentucky offering an option with online courses
- Cohort retention rate of 92.3% (2016)
- Program boasts a 100% graduate satisfaction rate over the past five years
- Hybrid courses feature the best in flexibility and convenience
The Henderson Community College medical assisting diploma program is where convenient hybrid courses that perfectly blend theory and hands-on experience come together to provide the best in affordable learning! This program prepares you to become a trusted member of the healthcare team, whether it’s in administration, direct patient care, or in laboratory settings. Henderson’s medical assisting diploma program is backed by an impressive record of student success, so you’ll feel good about choosing this as your path to a career in medical assisting.
Maine
Bangor, ME
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (on-campus, online)
Estimated program cost: $16,500
Only private program in Maine offering an option with online courses
- Online courses organized into accelerated eight-week semesters
- Six convenient start dates every year
- Online courses are blended with four medical assisting labs and a 160-hour externship
Beal College is Maine’s hidden gem for outstanding affordability and exceptional quality and convenience! Their medical assisting diploma, which can be completed in just 14 months, prepares you to serve on the front lines of healthcare in a variety of settings. The online courses offer the flexibility you’re looking for, while the contemporary courses in areas like medical terminology, medical office procedures, and medical ethics and law ensure you’re ready to pass the CMA or RMA and dive immediately into a career in the exciting and fast-paced healthcare industry.
Minnesota
Canby/Pipestone/Granite Falls/Worthington/Jackson, MN
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $7,774
$74 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Program features a flexible, hybrid design that can be completed in just 16 months
- Comprehensive program design includes topics related to both clinical and clerical duties
The Minnesota West Community and Technical College medical assistant diploma program offers a convenient, hybrid design, an affordable price tag, and a path to an exciting career in medical assisting – all in just 16 months. Thanks to courses focused on clerical duties, you’ll be armed with the knowledge needed to ensure a smoothly running healthcare practice … while courses covering clinical duties prepare you for anything your managing physician might ask of you when working directly with patients. The Minnesota West Community and Technical College hybrid medial assistant diploma has it all!
Austin/Owatonna/Albert Lea, MN
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $7,183
$665 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- 96% CMA exam pass rate among graduates in the past two years
- Program features convenient hybrid course delivery
- Program can be completed in just three semesters
In just three semesters, the Riverland Community College medical assistant diploma program can take you from student to valued member of the healthcare team quicker than you might think– and at a price that’s more affordable than you probably thought possible. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the medical assistant career, which includes clinical, clerical, and laboratory duties, all through convenient hybrid courses that will have you splitting time between the classroom and online coursework. You’ll also feel confident when choosing Riverland Community College as your path to a career in medical assisting, thanks to CMA exam average pass rate of 96% over the past two years!
North Carolina
Smithfield, NC
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $3,192
$76 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Outstanding job placement rate of 100% in 2017
- JCC is part of the trusted North Carolina Community College System, which serves more than 13,000 students annually
The Johnston Community College medical assisting diploma program is out to impress, and its convenient hybrid learning model and truly affordable price tag does just that. A comprehensive curriculum covering both office and clinical duties is the hallmark of this program. With coursework in everything from coding and insurance, laboratory procedures, medication administration, ethical and legal issues, you can be sure you’ll have all the skills employers expect – and more! You’ll feel good choosing JCC for your medical assistant education, as it is part of the trusted North Carolina Community College System, which serves more than 13,000 students annually. Plus, the medical assisting program comes with an outstanding history of student success, including a 100% job placement rate in 2017.
New Bern, NC
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $3,116
$152 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Program begins once a year in the fall semester and includes three semesters of study
- College offers a comprehensive advising model that includes career exploration, goal setting, and relationship building
Craven Community College is where aspiring medical assistants in North Carolina head for the best in career preparation. In addition to its very affordable price, the school’s medical assisting diploma program comes complete with a convenient hybrid design that offers the flexibility you need to make your dreams of becoming a medical assistant a reality. This comprehensive program, which begins once a year in the fall semester, features three semesters of coursework and contemporary topics in medical assisting, such as coding, billing, transcription, computer operations, and more.
Raleigh, NC
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $3,116
$152 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Program features an outstanding record of student success: 100% program completion/retention rate and 90% job placement rate, as of 2017
- Hybrid course design offers the best in flexibility and convenience
A convenient, hybrid course design and one of the best tuition rates among all the medical assisting programs in North Carolina are the hallmarks of the Wake Technical Community College medical assisting program. As a student here you’ll find a comprehensive course of study that prepares students like you for success in doctor’s offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics and many other settings. You’ll feel confident earning your medical assisting diploma at Wake Tech, North Carolina’s largest community college, thanks to the 100% program completion and retention rates and the 90% job placement rate. The success of the graduates coming out of this program speaks for itself.
Ohio
East Liverpool, OH
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $15,000
$2,976 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at private schools
- Exceptional career and academic advising services
- Coursework includes preparation for the CMA exam
An exciting career in the medical assisting field is just months away through the Ohio Valley College of Technology medical assisting diploma, a true value in healthcare education. In addition to a convenient hybrid design, this comprehensive program also includes outstanding hands-on experience courtesy of an externship with an exceptional local physician’s offices or healthcare facility. You’ll also get preparation for the CMA exam baked right into the curriculum, so you’ll be well prepared to quickly make the transition from student to professional medical assistant. Student services like academic advising and career advising round out this exceptional program to make that transition even smoother!
Oklahoma
Tulsa, OK
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $10,440
Only private program in Oklahoma offering an option with online courses
- Weekly start dates ensure the best in flexibility and convenience
- Exceptional learning experiences delivered by professional, credentialed instructors
- Can be completed in as little as nine months
Community Care College is where students head for success in medical assisting in Oklahoma! In as little as nine months, CCC students are qualified to take the RMA exam and become valuable members of the healthcare team. In addition to this program’s exceptional value, students here enjoy superb learning experiences delivered by professional, credentialed instructors who are committed to your success. Weekly start dates and convenient, hybrid courses round out this comprehensive program.
Oregon
Portland, OR
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $17,217
Only private program in Oregon offering an option with online courses
- Portland campus is home to outstanding student resources, including a learning resource center, career services, hands-on labs, and more
- Program can be completed in as little as eight months
In as little as eight months, Concorde Career College delivers an exceptional, well-rounded medical assisting diploma program that features hybrid courses for the best in flexibility and convenience. From taking medial histories to managing the everyday operations of a doctor’s office, clinic, or healthcare facility, medical assistants are valued members of today’s healthcare team, and Concorde’s commitment to this profession is evident in everything from its hands-on classes and externships to its comprehensive online courses focused on contemporary topics in medical assisting. You’ll feel good choosing Concorde for your medical assisting education, as it comes with more than 50 years of experience producing career-driven healthcare programs.
Pennsylvania
Scranton, PA
Website
Diploma in Medical Assisting (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $14,958
$6,596 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at private schools
- Career services help ensure success after graduation
- Hybrid course delivery ensures outstanding convenience and flexibility
From doctors’ offices to clinics to healthcare centers, medical assistants are the backbone of the healthcare industry, and Fortis College’s diploma in medical assisting gives you everything you need for a long and successful career. A hybrid course delivery ensures the best in flexibility and convenience, while outstanding career services deliver a truly comprehensive course of study designed to take you from the classroom to the field in just nine months. And at nearly $7,000 less than the state average among private programs in PA, this program delivers the quality you demand without the large price tag.
Utah
Provo, UT
Website
Eagle Gate (PR)
Murray and Layton, UT
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $15,910
The only two schools in Utah offering medical assistant diploma programs with online curriculum
- Outstanding career services include resume preparation, mock interviews, and more
- Hybrid courses ensure the best in convenience and flexibility
Two top-quality schools, one comprehensive high-value program… Operating under the hugely successful Unitek Family of Schools, together Provo College and Eagle Gate, with three campus locations between them, are making this outstanding medical assistant diploma program widely available in Utah. The fact that much of the coursework is available online makes it even more accessible. In just 10 months, this program delivers an outstanding course of education in medical assisting. You’ll not only enjoy the convenience that comes with hybrid courses, you’ll have the skills you need to take the CMA exam and immediately launch your career. Contemporary courses in vital signs, injections, surgical assisting, transcription, charting, and more are part of this comprehensive program, as are top-notch career services designed to ensure an easy transition into the profession.
Virginia
Falls Church/Woodbridge, VA
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $23,310
Only private program in Virginia offering an option with online courses
- Hybrid courses boast asynchronous learning for the best in convenience and flexibility
- Outstanding career service include resume and interview preparation, career fairs, and more
Theoretical and hands-on learning in topics covering everything from clinical skills and laboratory procedures, to administrative skills like scheduling, records management, coding, and more are just some of the areas of study in Stratford University’s high-value medical assisting diploma program. This program features convenient, asynchronous hybrid courses, an experienced faculty that’s committed to your success, and career services that include everything from resume review to interview preparation to career fairs and more.
West Virginia
Morgantown/Bridgeport/Charleston, WV
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $11,250
$5,625 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at private schools
- WVJC boasts the WE CARE Classroom Experience, which includes outstanding student support, interactive medical labs, medical externships, career services, and more
- Program can be completed in just nine months
At nearly $6,000 less than the state average for private medical assistant diploma programs, the West Virginia Junior College MA diploma is value exemplified. In just nine months, this comprehensive program featuring hybrid courses, can take you from student to valued member of the healthcare team. The WE CARE Classroom Experience here ensures an outstanding student experience, thanks to exceptional student support, interactive medical labs, medical externships, career services, and more. You’ll feel confident choosing WVJC for your medical assisting education, thanks to this school’s more-than-120-year history of producing students for the most in-demand and rewarding careers.
Wisconsin
Rhinelander, WI
Website
Medical Assistant Technical Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $4,368
$82 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Program boasts a 100% graduate and employer satisfaction rate over the past five years
- Convenient online courses blended with open labs available five days/nights per week for outstanding, hands-on learning
- Examinations designed to simulate the CMA exam
The Nicolet Area Technical College medical assistant technical diploma comes with an impressively low price tag and a comprehensive course of study that will prepare you for success in an exciting and fast-paced doctor’s office, ambulatory care clinic, or other healthcare settings. Open labs available five days/nights a week…online theory-based content…exams designed to simulate the CMA exam…and three start dates per year– these are just some of the perks of Nicolet’s medical assistant program. The stats coming out of this program speak for themselves: 100% satisfaction rate among both graduates and the employers that hire them over the past five years!
Wausau, WI
Website
Medical Assistant Technical Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $4,368
$82 less than the state average for online medical assistant diploma programs offered at public schools
- Online courses blended with weekday, evening, and weekend classes for the best in flexibility and convenience
- Outstanding 95% employment rate among graduates
The Northcentral Technical college medical assistant technical diploma has both a price you can afford and the quality you need to succeed in the fast-paced healthcare industry. This comprehensive program, which includes contemporary topics related to administrative, clinical and laboratory duties, offers the best in flexibility, with weekday, evening, and weekend classes blended with online learning during the week. You’ll feel confident choosing Northcentral for your medical assisting education, thanks to this program’s 95% employment rate and a more-than-100-year history of producing tomorrow’s healthcare leaders.