Medical assistant programs in California
Compare the 151 schools with a medical assistant program in California by accreditation, price and length.
- schools
- 151
- accredited7 CAAHEP programs, 29 ABHES schools
- 36
- typical career-school price, whole program
- $18,491
- typical public-college price, one year
- $1,312
| School | Certificate or degree, length | Accreditation | Price | Graduates2023-24 | Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Unitek College | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $14,377 whole programwith books | 631 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | CAAHEP accredited, ABHES school | $20,691 whole programwith books | 359 | Request information | |
 UEI College-Fresno | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 349 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Riverside | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 338 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Huntington Park | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 335 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Chula Vista | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 329 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 8 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,733 whole programwith books | 291 | Request information | |
 Carrington College-Sacramento | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $21,799 whole program | 278 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Bakersfield | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 276 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Ontario | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 256 | Visit the school's site |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Certificateabout 15 months190 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years61 graduates | Not accredited | $33,472 whole programfor its 15-month program | 251 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Stockton | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 250 | Visit the school's site |
 Santa Ana College | Certificateunder 1 year175 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years54 graduates | Not accredited | $1,180 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 229 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Sacramento | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 229 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Garden Grove | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 228 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $20,691 whole programwith books | 222 | Request information | |
| Certificateabout 8 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,481 whole programwith books | 215 | Request information | |
 UEI College-Gardena | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 211 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Reseda | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 206 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 8 months202 graduates | ABHES-accredited school | $10,790 whole programwith books | 202 | Request information | |
| Certificateunder 1 year | ABHES-accredited school | Ask the school for the price | 174 | Request information | |
 UEI College-West Covina | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 174 | Visit the school's site |
 Downey Adult School | Certificateabout 6 months | Not accredited | $6,883 whole programwith books | 171 | Visit the school's site |
Universal Healthcare Careers College | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $15,255 whole programwith books | 164 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $20,691 whole programwith books | 163 | Request information | |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto | Certificateabout 15 months147 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years16 graduates | Not accredited | $33,472 whole programfor its 15-month program | 163 | Visit the school's site |
 Carrington College-San Jose | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $21,799 whole program | 153 | Visit the school's site |
Mayfield College | Certificateabout 10 months | Not accredited | $17,750 whole programwith books | 153 | Visit the school's site |
 MTI College | Certificateabout 8 months | Not accredited | $16,569 whole programwith books | 143 | Visit the school's site |
 UEI College-Oceanside | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $19,900 whole program | 138 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,454 whole programwith books | 137 | Request information | |
| Certificateabout 8 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,925 whole programwith books | 134 | Request information | |
 Carrington College-San Leandro Campus | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $21,799 whole program | 134 | Visit the school's site |
 North-West College-Riverside | Certificateabout 10 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,491 whole programwith books | 133 | Request information |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno | Certificateabout 15 months123 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years9 graduates | Not accredited | $33,472 whole programfor its 15-month program | 132 | Visit the school's site |
 Fresno City College | Certificateunder 1 year87 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years43 graduates | Not accredited | $1,334 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 130 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 12 months | ABHES-accredited school | $19,340 whole programwith books | 125 | Request information | |
| Certificateabout 10 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,491 whole programwith books | 122 | Request information | |
 Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $21,799 whole program | 121 | Visit the school's site |
 Carrington College-Stockton | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $21,799 whole program | 120 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 8 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,779 whole programwith books | 117 | Request information | |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Hesperia | Certificateabout 9 months101 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years5 graduates | Not accredited | $21,997 whole programfor its 9-month program | 106 | Visit the school's site |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster | Certificateabout 15 months92 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years9 graduates | Not accredited | $33,472 whole programfor its 15-month program | 101 | Visit the school's site |
 Long Beach City College | Certificateunder 1 year78 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years21 graduates | Not accredited | $1,556 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 99 | Visit the school's site |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula | Certificateabout 9 months92 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years5 graduates | Not accredited | $21,997 whole programfor its 9-month program | 97 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificate1 to 2 years58 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years36 graduates | CAAHEP accredited certificate | $1,270 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 94 | Request information | |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,454 whole programwith books | 93 | Request information | |
| Certificate1 to 2 years | ABHES-accredited school | Ask the school for the price | 92 | Request information | |
 CET-Salinas | Certificateabout 8 months | Not accredited | $15,249 whole program | 92 | Visit the school's site |
Unitek College | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $14,377 whole programwith books | 88 | Visit the school's site |
 MiraCosta College | Certificateunder 1 year56 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years25 graduates | Not accredited | $1,152 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 81 | Visit the school's site |
 Institute of Technology | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $18,422 whole programwith books | 80 | Visit the school's site |
 Healthcare Career College | Certificateabout 12 months | Not accredited | $16,420 whole programwith books | 77 | Visit the school's site |
 Bay Area Medical Academy | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $16,769 whole programwith books | 76 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $16,275 whole programwith books | 75 | Request information | |
 East Los Angeles College | Certificateunder 1 year30 graduatesCertificate1 to 2 years31 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years11 graduates | Not accredited | $1,238 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 72 | Visit the school's site |
 CET-Santa Maria | Certificateabout 8 months | Not accredited | $15,249 whole program | 70 | Visit the school's site |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario | Certificateabout 9 months63 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years7 graduates | Not accredited | $21,997 whole programfor its 9-month program | 70 | Visit the school's site |
 Cerritos College | Certificateunder 1 year49 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years20 graduates | Not accredited | $1,364 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 69 | Visit the school's site |
 San Jose City College | Certificate1 to 2 years40 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years29 graduates | Not accredited | $1,366 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 69 | Visit the school's site |
Riverside County Office of Education-School of Career Education | Certificateabout 5 months | Not accredited | $12,703 whole programwith books | 66 | Visit the school's site |
 North-West College-Anaheim | Certificateabout 10 months | Not accredited | $18,491 whole programwith books | 61 | Visit the school's site |
Unitek College | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $14,377 whole programwith books | 61 | Visit the school's site |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Porterville | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $21,997 whole program | 60 | Visit the school's site |
 Cerro Coso Community College | Certificate1 to 2 years54 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years5 graduates | Not accredited | $1,384 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 59 | Visit the school's site |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | Certificateabout 9 months43 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years14 graduates | Not accredited | $21,997 whole programfor its 9-month program | 57 | Visit the school's site |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria | Certificateabout 15 months | Not accredited | $33,472 whole program | 54 | Visit the school's site |
Cabrillo College | Certificateunder 1 year6 graduatesCertificate1 to 2 years32 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years15 graduates | Not accredited | $1,270 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 53 | Visit the school's site |
 North-West College-Long Beach | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $18,491 whole programwith books | 53 | Visit the school's site |
 Sutter County Career Training Center | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $14,836 whole programwith books | 53 | Visit the school's site |
 Milan Institute-Visalia | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $15,482 whole programwith books | 48 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,491 whole programwith books | 46 | Request information | |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Delano | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $21,997 whole program | 46 | Visit the school's site |
 California Healing Arts College | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $17,995 whole program | 43 | Visit the school's site |
 Ventura College | Certificateunder 1 year24 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years19 graduates | Not accredited | $1,412 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 43 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificate1 to 2 years21 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years20 graduates | CAAHEP accredited certificate | Ask the school for the price | 41 | Request information | |
 North-West College-Pomona | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $18,491 whole programwith books | 41 | School profile |
 West Los Angeles College | Certificate1 to 2 years30 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years10 graduates | Not accredited | $1,238 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 40 | Visit the school's site |
 Allan Hancock College | Certificateunder 1 year | Not accredited | $1,146 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area | 39 | Visit the school's site |
 Blake Austin College | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $20,193 whole program | 39 | Visit the school's site |
 Antelope Valley Community College District | Certificateunder 1 year11 graduatesCertificate1 to 2 years7 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years20 graduates | Not accredited | $1,124 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 38 | Visit the school's site |
 ATA College | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $16,130 whole program | 38 | Visit the school's site |
 Southern California Health Institute | Certificate1 to 2 years | Not accredited | Ask the school for the price | 38 | Visit the school's site |
 Moreno Valley College | Certificate1 to 2 years25 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years11 graduates | Not accredited | $1,420 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 36 | Visit the school's site |
 Cosumnes River College | Certificate1 to 2 years16 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years18 graduates | Not accredited | Ask the school for the price | 34 | Visit the school's site |
Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD | Certificateabout 7 months | Not accredited | $4,920 whole programwith books | 33 | Visit the school's site |
 North-West College-Glendale | Certificateabout 10 months | Not accredited | $18,491 whole programwith books | 33 | Visit the school's site |
 Orange Coast College | Certificate1 to 2 years20 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years12 graduates | Not accredited | $1,208 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 32 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $17,995 whole program | 29 | Request information | |
 Career Care Institute | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $13,500 whole programwith books | 29 | Visit the school's site |
 CET-Oxnard | Certificateabout 8 months | Not accredited | $15,249 whole program | 29 | Visit the school's site |
 San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage | Certificate1 to 2 years26 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years2 graduates | Not accredited | $33,472 whole programfor its 60-credit program | 28 | Visit the school's site |
 Victor Valley College | Certificateunder 1 year16 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years12 graduates | Not accredited | $1,425 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 28 | Visit the school's site |
 Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education | Certificateabout 11 months | Not accredited | $2,940 whole programwith books | 26 | Visit the school's site |
 CET-Watsonville | Certificateabout 8 months | Not accredited | $15,249 whole program | 26 | Visit the school's site |
 Milan Institute-Merced | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $15,198 whole programwith books | 25 | Visit the school's site |
 Palladium Technical Academy Inc | Certificateabout 8 months | Not accredited | $15,425 whole programwith books | 24 | Visit the school's site |
 Platt College-Anaheim | Associate degreeabout 2 years | Not accredited | $14,804 a yearfull-time | 24 | Visit the school's site |
 Platt College-Ontario | Associate degreeabout 2 years | Not accredited | $14,804 a yearfull-time | 23 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $17,995 whole program | 22 | Request information | |
 North-West College-Van Nuys | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $18,491 whole programwith books | 22 | School profile |
 Platt College-Los Angeles | Associate degreeabout 2 years | Not accredited | $14,804 a yearfull-time | 22 | Visit the school's site |
 Saddleback College | Certificateunder 1 year11 graduatesCertificate1 to 2 years11 graduates | Not accredited | $1,432 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 22 | Visit the school's site |
 Shasta College | Certificateunder 1 year | Not accredited | $1,197 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area | 22 | Visit the school's site |
De Anza College | Certificateunder 1 year7 graduatesCertificate1 to 2 years6 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years8 graduates | Not accredited | $1,562 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 21 | Visit the school's site |
 Santa Rosa Junior College | Certificate1 to 2 years13 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years8 graduates | Not accredited | $1,318 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 21 | Visit the school's site |
 Canada College | Certificateunder 1 year2 graduatesCertificate1 to 2 years7 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years11 graduates | Not accredited | $1,332 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 20 | Visit the school's site |
 San Diego Mesa College | Certificateunder 1 year9 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years11 graduates | Not accredited | $1,150 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 20 | Visit the school's site |
 Valley College of Medical Careers | Certificateabout 10 months | Not accredited | $15,950 whole programwith books | 20 | School profile |
| Certificateabout 9 months19 graduates | ABHES-accredited school | $19,292 whole programwith books | 19 | Request information | |
Platt College-Riverside | Associate degreeabout 2 years | Not accredited | $14,804 a yearfull-time | 18 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $17,995 whole program | 17 | Request information | |
 Premiere Career College | Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $6,818 whole programwith books | 17 | Request information |
 Chabot College | Certificate1 to 2 years9 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years8 graduates | Not accredited | $1,150 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 17 | Visit the school's site |
 Imperial Valley College | Certificate1 to 2 years | Not accredited | $1,126 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area | 17 | Visit the school's site |
 Monterey Peninsula College | Certificate1 to 2 years10 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years7 graduates | Not accredited | $1,188 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 17 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $13,535 whole programwith books | 16 | Request information | |
 ABC Adult School | Certificateabout 12 months | Not accredited | $2,737 whole programwith books | 16 | Visit the school's site |
 Southwestern College | Certificate1 to 2 years5 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years11 graduates | Not accredited | $1,344 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 16 | Visit the school's site |
 Ventura Adult and Continuing Education | Certificateabout 5 months16 graduates | Not accredited | $5,162 whole programwith books | 16 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificate1 to 2 years | ABHES-accredited school | Ask the school for the price | 15 | Request information | |
| Certificate1 to 2 years | ABHES-accredited school | $10,619 a yearfull-time | 14 | Request information | |
Merritt College | Certificateunder 1 year | Not accredited | $1,167 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area | 14 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,491 whole programwith books | 12 | Request information | |
 Milan Institute-Palm Desert | Certificateunder 1 year | Not accredited | Ask the school for the price | 12 | Visit the school's site |
 Sierra College | Certificateunder 1 year | Not accredited | $1,156 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area | 12 | Visit the school's site |
Escondido Adult School | Certificateunder 12 weeks | Not accredited | Ask the school for the price | 11 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificate1 to 2 years8 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years2 graduates | CAAHEP accredited certificate | $1,180 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 10 | Request information | |
 Contra Costa College | Certificate1 to 2 years1 graduateAssociate degreeabout 2 years9 graduates | Not accredited | $1,312 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 10 | Visit the school's site |
 Butte County Regional Occupational Program | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $8,340 whole programwith books | 9 | Visit the school's site |
 CET-San Jose | Certificateabout 8 months | Not accredited | $15,249 whole program | 9 | Visit the school's site |
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center | Certificate1 to 2 years | Not accredited | Ask the school for the price | 9 | School profile |
 Stellar Career College | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $12,080 whole programwith books | 9 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 9 months | ABHES-accredited school | $18,491 whole programwith books | 8 | Request information | |
 Mt San Jacinto Community College District | Certificateunder 1 year5 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years3 graduates | Not accredited | $1,406 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 8 | Visit the school's site |
 California Institute of Medical Science | Certificateunder 1 year | Not accredited | Ask the school for the price | 7 | Visit the school's site |
 West Valley College | Certificate1 to 2 years5 graduatesAssociate degreeabout 2 years2 graduates | Not accredited | $1,490 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area; same for each award | 7 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 12 months | ABHES-accredited school | $17,700 whole programwith books | 5 | Request information | |
 Central California School of Continuing Education | Certificate1 to 2 years | Not accredited | $9,895 a yearfull-time | 5 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificate1 to 2 years | ABHES-accredited school | $19,576 a yearfull-time | 4 | Request information | |
 CET-San Diego | Certificateabout 8 months | Not accredited | $15,249 whole program | 3 | Visit the school's site |
South Coast College | Certificate1 to 2 years | Not accredited | $13,409 a yearfull-time | 3 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificateabout 10 months | ABHES-accredited school | $17,215 whole program | 2 | Request information | |
InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield | Certificateabout 10 months | Not accredited | $19,125 whole program | 2 | Visit the school's site |
 Modern Technology School | Certificateabout 6 months | Not accredited | $2,123 whole programwith books | 2 | Visit the school's site |
 College of Marin | Certificateunder 1 year | Not accredited | $1,494 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area | 1 | Visit the school's site |
Cuesta College | Associate degreeabout 2 years | Not accredited | $1,340 a yearfull-time, if you live in the college's area | 1 | Visit the school's site |
 Milan Institute-Clovis | Certificateabout 9 months | Not accredited | $14,485 whole programwith books | 1 | Visit the school's site |
| Certificate | CAAHEP accredited | Ask the school for the price | – | Request information | |
| Certificate | CAAHEP accredited | Ask the school for the price | – | Request information | |
| Certificate | CAAHEP accredited | Ask the school for the price | – | Request information |
- CAAHEP accredited
- CAAHEP has checked and approved the medical assisting program itself. People who finish it can take the CMA exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant.
- ABHES-accredited school
- ABHES approves the whole school. Before you count on the CMA exam, ask the school whether its medical assisting program is covered too.
- Price
- Tuition and fees for 2023-24, as each school reports them: for the whole program, or for one year of full-time classes. Each row says which.
- Graduates
- Students who finished between July 2023 and June 2024. Prices and graduates come from a yearly survey by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Listing
- No school pays to be listed or moved up. "Request information" appears on schools accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES; other schools link to their own site.
California at a glance
The graduate count covers every medical assistant certificate and degree that 148 schools in California awarded in the 2023-24 school year. The largest is Unitek College in Fremont, which had 631 graduates.
Larger cities with a page of their own: Los Angeles (51), San Diego (12), San Jose (6), Sacramento (8).
California does not license or certify medical assistants. They need training (at least 10 clock hours for injections and skin tests, and 10 hours for drawing blood) and work with a supervisor on site. A medical assistant who trains others must hold a certificate from an organization the Medical Board approves. How certification works in California · California beside five other states
What medical assistants earn in California · Accredited online programs