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Allied health and medical assisting programs show stark cost differences across institutional types, with public colleges like Santa Ana College charging just $3,854 annually while private options can reach $7,559. The 48% graduation rate at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas stands out among these budget-friendly programs, suggesting that affordable doesn't mean compromised outcomes. Healthcare support roles continue expanding nationwide as medical facilities seek trained assistants to handle administrative tasks, patient care coordination, and clinical support functions. Programs under $20,000 span from California community colleges to Idaho's religious institutions, offering multiple pathways into a field where median earnings range from $30,988 to $47,650. The gap between lowest and highest program costs exceeds $10,000, making careful selection important for students balancing quality education with financial constraints.
40
Programs
$3,854 – $19,889
Net Price Range
$34,039
Avg. Program Earnings
47.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

40 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,854 $1,180 31.5%
2 $5,200 $3,906 48.0%
3 $6,206 $4,057 37.3%
4 $6,392 $5,966 36.7%
5 $6,680 $5,966 41.7%
6 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
7 $7,559 $6,920 31.1%
8 $8,365 $7,050 35.5% 57.7%
9 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
10 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
11 $10,878 $4,623 38.6%
12 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
13 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
14 $12,458 $9,212 18.1%
15 $12,832 $7,388 44.7% 86.8%
16 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
17 $13,710 $29,982 68.2% 77.5%
18 $13,780 $7,566 28.9% 65.3%
19 $13,922 $4,432 25.6% 99.7%
20 $13,953 $7,392 25.4%
21 $13,980 $28,670 31.0% 78.2%
22 $14,059 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
23 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
24 $14,774 $6,960 100.0%
25 $14,817 $12,900 25.8%
26 $14,867 $18,008 75.0% 33.3%
27 $14,989 $16,480 69.1% 71.8%
28 $15,026 $25,200 40.0% 51.4%
29 $15,156 $15,672 65.0% 34.4%
30 $15,389 $9,622 43.0%
31 $15,928 $15,168 75.0% 56.1%
32 $16,874 $19,740 41.3% 74.6%
33 $17,182 $17,935 36.7%
34 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
35 $17,324 $8,356 38.3%
36 $17,797 $15,690 51.3% 84.8%
37 $17,949 $35,942 40.2% 71.9%
38 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
39 $19,045 $35,500 53.8% 51.0%
40 $19,889 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between Santa Ana College at $3,854 and other programs?

Santa Ana College operates as a California community college with significant state funding support, keeping tuition at just $1,180 for residents. This public funding model contrasts sharply with private institutions like Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus at $7,559 annually. The $3,701 difference reflects varying state support levels and institutional operating models across different regions.

How do graduation rates compare between the most and least expensive programs?

Cossatot Community College achieves a 48% graduation rate despite charging only $5,200, while more expensive options like Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus show 31.1% completion rates at $7,559. Brigham Young University-Idaho demonstrates that mid-range pricing at $7,131 can yield strong 55.1% graduation rates. These patterns suggest cost doesn't directly correlate with student success in allied health programs.

Where do graduates typically earn the highest starting salaries?

University of Connecticut campuses report median earnings of $32,162, while Ohio State University-Lima Campus graduates earn $30,988 annually. These earnings fall within the national range of $30,988 to $47,650 for allied health and medical assisting roles. Regional healthcare markets and cost of living significantly influence starting salary levels across different geographic areas.

Is there a geographic concentration of affordable allied health programs?

Programs under $20,000 appear concentrated in states with strong community college systems, including California, Arkansas, Washington, and Utah. Public institutions dominate the most affordable options, with 11 of the 15 listed schools operating as state-funded colleges. Private nonprofit schools primarily appear in Puerto Rico and Idaho, suggesting regional variations in educational funding approaches.

Does acceptance rate indicate program competitiveness in allied health?

Brigham Young University-Idaho accepts 95.56% of applicants while maintaining a strong 55.1% graduation rate, suggesting open access doesn't compromise quality. University of Connecticut campuses show acceptance rates above 97%, indicating these programs prioritize accessibility over selectivity. Most allied health programs emphasize meeting workforce demand rather than creating artificial scarcity through restrictive admissions.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.