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Medical Assistant Programs
Students in a medical assistant program skills lab

Medical assistant programs in Iowa

Compare price, length and accreditation for the 14 Iowa schools offering medical assistant programs.

schools
14
accredited
11
public college, a year
$6,140
graduates in 2023-24
297

When we say Accredited, we mean CAAHEP or ABHES. We took the middle price from the 10 public colleges that published rates for 2023-24.

Iowa medical assistant schools

We list Accredited schools ahead of others, starting with the largest.

One table shows all 14 Iowa schools; you may sort by graduates, length or price.
Medical assistant programs in Iowa
SchoolCertificate or degree, lengthAccreditationPriceGraduates2023-24Request
Mercy College of Health Sciences928 6th Ave, Des Moinesonline classesCMA exam results
Certificateunder 12 monthsAssociate degreeabout 2 yearsCAAHEP (certificate)$22,360 per yearone year of classes, same for each award91Request information
Kirkwood Community College6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapidson campusCMA exam results
Certificate12 to 24 monthsAssociate degreeabout 2 yearsCAAHEP (diploma)$5,980 per year, local studentsone year of classes, same for each award66Request information
Eastern Iowa Community College District101 W Third Street, Davenporton campus
Certificate12 to 24 monthsNot CAAHEP or ABHES$4,680 per year, local studentsone year of classes, not the whole program20Visit the school's site
Ross College-Davenport1801 East Kimberly Road, Suite B, Davenporton campus
Certificateabout 8 monthsABHES (school)$16,297 whole program19Request information
Southeastern Community College1500 West Agency Road, West Burlingtonon campusCMA exam results
Certificateunder 12 monthsCertificate12 to 24 monthsCAAHEP (diploma)$6,300 per year, local studentsone year of classes, same for each award19Request information
Iowa Central Community CollegeOne Triton Circle, Fort Dodgeon campusCMA exam results
Certificate12 to 24 monthsAssociate degreeabout 2 yearsCAAHEP (diploma)$5,376 per year, local studentsone year of classes, same for each award17Request information
Northeast Iowa Community College1625 Hwy 150, Calmaron campusCMA exam results
Certificate12 to 24 monthsCAAHEP (program)$6,600 per year, local studentsone year of classes, not the whole program14Request information
Orion Technical College3940 Elmore Ave, Davenporton campus
Certificate12 to 24 monthsNot CAAHEP or ABHES$15,600 per yearone year of classes, not the whole program12Visit the school's site
North Iowa Area Community College500 College Dr, Mason Cityon campusCMA exam results
Certificate12 to 24 monthsCAAHEP (program)$6,436 per year, local studentsone year of classes, not the whole program9Request information
Iowa Western Community College2700 College Rd, Council Bluffson campus
Certificate12 to 24 monthsNot CAAHEP or ABHES$6,780 per year, local studentsone year of classes, not the whole program9Visit the school's site
Western Iowa Tech Community College4647 Stone Ave, Sioux Cityon campusCMA exam results
Certificate12 to 24 monthsCAAHEP (program)$5,042 per year, local studentsone year of classes, not the whole program8Request information
Hawkeye Community College1501 E Orange Rd, Waterlooon campusCMA exam results
Certificate12 to 24 monthsCAAHEP (program)$6,308 per year, local studentsone year of classes, not the whole program7Request information
Des Moines Area Community College2006 Ankeny Blvd, Ankenyon campus
Certificate12 to 24 monthsCAAHEP (program)$5,550 per year, local studentsone year of classes, not the whole program6Request information
Iowa Valley Community College District-Marshalltown Community CollegeMarshalltownon campusCMA exam results
DiplomaCAAHEP (program)Ask the school for the price–Request information

"Request information" shows up only where CAAHEP or ABHES accredits the school; it sends your request there, and we may be paid. The school's site is where other rows send you. No school pays for placement on this list or a better spot. Data comes from IPEDS 2023-24 for prices and graduates, plus directories from CAAHEP and ABHES.

Read about accreditation, prices and graduates to understand this list.
CAAHEP-accredited program
CAAHEP checked and approved this specific medical assisting program. Finishing lets you take the CMA exam and become a Certified Medical Assistant.
ABHES-accredited school
ABHES grants approval to the entire school. Ask the school if its medical assisting program is included before you rely on taking the CMA exam.
Not CAAHEP or ABHES
That is not a judgment on the school, though neither group lists it for medical assisting. Another agency might still accredit the college itself. You need a CAAHEP or ABHES program for the CMA exam; the RMA, CCMA and NCMA exams allow other paths like work experience.
Classes held online
Online classes cover coursework; clinical hours always take place in person at the school or a clinic.
Price
These figures cover tuition and fees for 2023-24 plus books and supplies if the school lists them, reported as either the whole program cost or one year of full-time study (local student rate at public colleges). The annual cost stays the same for every award the school offers.
Graduates
These are students who completed their studies between July 2023 and June 2024. IPEDS, an annual survey from the U.S. Department of Education, provides the price and graduate data.
Students in a medical assistant program skills lab

Medical assistant schools by city in Iowa

Davenport
  • Accredited (CAAHEP or ABHES)
  • Other schools

Davenport 3 · Ankeny 1 · Calmar 1 · Cedar Rapids 1 · Council Bluffs 1 · Des Moines 1 · Fort Dodge 1 · Marshalltown 1 · Mason City 1 · Sioux City 1 · 2 more cities

Lowest public-college price
$4,680 a year at Eastern Iowa Community College District, Davenport (lowest of 10)
Lowest whole-program price
$16,297 at Ross College-Davenport, Davenport

Request information from a program in Iowa

Pick the program and leave your details for its admissions team. Ask them about start dates, total cost and financial aid.

By tapping Send my request, you agree that the school you picked may call or text you at the phone number above, including with automated technology, and email you about its medical assistant program. Agreeing is not a condition of enrolling, and you can opt out at any time. See our privacy policy.

In Iowa, what tasks can a medical assistant perform?

Certification required
No state certification; employer decides on training and national certification
Injections
Not named in the cited sources; depends on physician delegation under supervision or direction
X-rays
Yes. Iowa HHS limited radiologic technologist permit (chest, spine, extremities, shoulder, pediatric)
Supervision
Physician supervision or direction

From Iowa Code 148C.8; 481 IAC 620.2(7); 641 IAC 38.3 and 38.7. Getting certified in Iowa

Iowa jobs and pay for medical assistants

Median pay
$45,480 a year ($21.87 an hour)
Middle 80% earn
$36,730 to $54,960
Medical assistant jobs
5,990
Growth 2024-2034
+19.1% (+1,020 jobs), about 800 openings a year

See What medical assistants earn in Iowa. Data: Projections Central; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Additional Iowa resources

Accredited online programs · Iowa beside every other state