MEDICAL ASSISTANT SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA — Federal Data, September 2026
Medical Assistant Schools in California, Ranked On What Graduates Owe And Earn
98 accredited institutions in California report enough federal data on this program to be compared. They are ranked here on a single measure: how many months of gross pay it takes a graduate to cover the median debt.
See The RankingU.S. Department of Education data. No school paid to be listed.
Across the 98 ranked programs in California, the median graduate needs 4.1 months of gross pay to cover a median federal debt of $9,500, against median earnings of $27,625 one year after completion.
That is faster than the national median of 4.9 months for this field, measured across the 840 institutions in our national medical assistant schools ranking. The best performer in the state is Charles A Jones Career and Education Center in Sacramento, at 1.5 months.
Every figure on this page is recalculated on California institutions only. Nothing is carried over from the national page.
At A Glance
What the federal data says about medical assistant schools in California
The Ranking
98 medical assistant schools in California, ranked by months of gross pay to cover the debt
Lower is better.
| # | School | Type | Award | Months | Debt | Earnings | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles A Jones Career and Education CenterSacramento, CA | Public | Certificate | 1.5 | $4,730 | $38,064 | 65% |
| 2 | Ventura Adult and Continuing EducationVentura, CA | Public | Certificate | 1.9 | $4,992 | $31,821 | 97% |
| 3 | California Nurses Educational InstituteRancho Mirage, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.0 | $5,500 | $33,592 | 80% |
| 4 | Universal Healthcare Careers CollegeLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.0 | $3,500 | $21,444 | 91% |
| 5 | CET-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 2.4 | $6,528 | $32,056 | 87% |
| 6 | CET-San JoseSan Jose, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 2.4 | $6,528 | $32,056 | 81% |
| 7 | CET-WatsonvilleWatsonville, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 2.4 | $6,528 | $32,056 | 83% |
| 8 | CET-SalinasSalinas, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 2.4 | $6,528 | $32,056 | 68% |
| 9 | CET-OxnardOxnard, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 2.4 | $6,528 | $32,056 | 42% |
| 10 | CET-Santa MariaSanta Maria, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 2.4 | $6,528 | $32,056 | 77% |
| 11 | Angeles CollegeLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.5 | $6,404 | $30,301 | 93% |
| 12 | Central Coast CollegeSalinas, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.7 | $7,580 | $33,709 | 67% |
| 13 | ATA CollegeEl Cajon, CA | for-profit | Associate | 2.7 | $6,400 | $28,599 | 89% |
| 14 | Unitek CollegeFremont, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.8 | $7,790 | $32,827 | 73% |
| 15 | Bay Area Medical AcademySan Francisco, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.8 | $9,139 | $38,505 | 52% |
| 16 | MTI CollegeSacramento, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.9 | $7,295 | $30,707 | 77% |
| 17 | College of the SequoiasVisalia, CA | Public | Associate | 2.9 | $14,000 | $57,242 | 39% |
| 18 | Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsSan Jose, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.9 | $7,857 | $32,143 | 64% |
| 19 | Unitek CollegeSouth San Francisco, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.9 | $8,409 | $34,873 | 73% |
| 20 | Unitek CollegeHayward, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.9 | $8,409 | $34,873 | 63% |
| 21 | CBD CollegeLos Angeles, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 3.1 | $7,600 | $29,808 | 82% |
| 22 | Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, CA | nonprofit | Associate | 3.3 | $16,500 | $60,043 | n/a |
| 23 | Carrington College-SacramentoSacramento, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $9,126 | $32,311 | 51% |
| 24 | Carrington College-San Leandro CampusSan Leandro, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $9,126 | $32,311 | 59% |
| 25 | Carrington College-San JoseSan Jose, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $9,126 | $32,311 | 60% |
| 26 | Carrington College-Pleasant Hill CampusPleasant Hill, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $9,126 | $32,311 | 59% |
| 27 | Carrington College-StocktonStockton, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $9,126 | $32,311 | 54% |
| 28 | Career Care InstituteLancaster, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.5 | $7,600 | $26,403 | 71% |
| 29 | Milan Institute-VisaliaVisalia, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $8,124 | $27,459 | 51% |
| 30 | North-West College-Van NuysVan Nuys, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $9,412 | $31,536 | 60% |
| 31 | Downey Adult SchoolDowney, CA | Public | Certificate | 3.6 | $9,009 | $29,694 | 31% |
| 32 | Pima Medical Institute-Chula VistaChula Vista, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $9,457 | $31,915 | 62% |
| 33 | Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $9,457 | $31,915 | 71% |
| 34 | Concorde Career College-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.7 | $9,500 | $30,842 | 76% |
| 35 | Sacramento City CollegeSacramento, CA | Public | Associate | 3.7 | $15,008 | $48,969 | 33% |
| 36 | Concorde Career College-North HollywoodNorth Hollywood, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.7 | $9,500 | $30,568 | 78% |
| 37 | Milan Institute-Palm DesertPalm Desert, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.7 | $7,711 | $25,267 | 48% |
| 38 | Mayfield CollegeCathedral City, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.7 | $9,025 | $28,928 | 82% |
| 39 | North-West College-West CovinaWest Covina, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.8 | $9,500 | $30,358 | 68% |
| 40 | North-West College-GlendaleGlendale, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.8 | $9,500 | $30,358 | 63% |
| 41 | American Career College-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $9,500 | $28,853 | 75% |
| 42 | North-West College-PomonaPomona, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $9,500 | $28,420 | 71% |
| 43 | American Career College-AnaheimAnaheim, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $9,500 | $28,853 | 70% |
| 44 | North-West College-RiversideRiverside, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $9,500 | $28,420 | 72% |
| 45 | National Career CollegePanorama City, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $8,340 | $24,872 | 74% |
| 46 | North-West College-AnaheimAnaheim, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $9,500 | $28,420 | 60% |
| 47 | North-West College-Long BeachLong Beach, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $9,500 | $28,420 | 58% |
| 48 | InterCoast Colleges-West CovinaWest Covina, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.1 | $9,500 | $27,880 | 97% |
| 49 | Sutter County Career Training CenterYuba City, CA | Public | Certificate | 4.1 | $9,500 | $27,791 | 86% |
| 50 | InterCoast Colleges-Rancho CordovaRancho Cordova, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.1 | $9,500 | $27,880 | 67% |
| 51 | InterCoast Colleges-FairfieldFairfield, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.1 | $9,500 | $27,880 | 71% |
| 52 | Institute for Business and TechnologySan Jose, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.2 | $9,500 | $26,882 | 84% |
| 53 | Institute of TechnologyClovis, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.2 | $9,500 | $27,458 | 73% |
| 54 | Glendale Career CollegeGlendale, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $9,319 | $26,106 | 63% |
| 55 | Concorde Career College-Garden GroveGarden Grove, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $9,500 | $26,287 | 84% |
| 56 | North-West College-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $9,319 | $26,106 | n/a |
| 57 | Glendale Career College-North-West College-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $9,319 | $26,106 | 50% |
| 58 | Summit CollegeSan Bernardino, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.4 | $8,444 | $23,181 | 62% |
| 59 | Career Networks InstituteSanta Ana, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.4 | $9,500 | $25,973 | 89% |
| 60 | American Career College-OntarioOntario, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.4 | $9,500 | $25,702 | 66% |
| 61 | Milan Institute-ClovisClovis, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.5 | $9,235 | $24,563 | 63% |
| 62 | Milan Institute-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.5 | $9,235 | $24,563 | 59% |
| 63 | Milan Institute-MercedMerced, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.5 | $9,235 | $24,563 | 55% |
| 64 | San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaVisalia, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 36% |
| 65 | San Joaquin Valley College-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 58% |
| 66 | UEI College-Huntington ParkHuntington Park, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,695 | 70% |
| 67 | UEI College-OntarioOntario, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,695 | 66% |
| 68 | UEI College-ResedaReseda, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,695 | 74% |
| 69 | San Joaquin Valley College-OntarioOntario, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 64% |
| 70 | California Healing Arts CollegeCarson, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,650 | 70% |
| 71 | San Joaquin Valley College-ModestoSalida, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 77% |
| 72 | UEI College-Chula VistaChula Vista, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,695 | 71% |
| 73 | UEI College-West CovinaWest Covina, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,695 | 67% |
| 74 | San Joaquin Valley College-HesperiaHesperia, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 63% |
| 75 | UEI College-OceansideOceanside, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,695 | 69% |
| 76 | UEI College-Garden GroveGarden Grove, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,695 | 63% |
| 77 | San Joaquin Valley College-TemeculaTemecula, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 82% |
| 78 | UEI College-StocktonStockton, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $9,500 | $24,695 | 71% |
| 79 | San Joaquin Valley College-LancasterLancaster, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 57% |
| 80 | San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageRancho Mirage, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 70% |
| 81 | San Joaquin Valley College-Santa MariaSanta Maria, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $10,269 | $26,897 | 63% |
| 82 | Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana, CA | Public | Certificate | 4.7 | $11,000 | $28,200 | 31% |
| 83 | UEI College-GardenaGardena, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.7 | $9,500 | $24,039 | 60% |
| 84 | UEI College-RiversideRiverside, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.7 | $9,500 | $24,039 | 71% |
| 85 | UEI College-SacramentoSacramento, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.7 | $9,500 | $24,039 | 60% |
| 86 | Concorde Career College-San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.0 | $9,500 | $22,895 | 76% |
| 87 | Southern California Health InstituteNorth Hollywood, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.0 | $9,500 | $22,923 | 87% |
| 88 | Healthcare Career CollegeParamount, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.2 | $9,500 | $21,834 | 71% |
| 89 | High Desert Medical CollegeLancaster, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.3 | $9,500 | $21,504 | 68% |
| 90 | American College of Healthcare and TechnologyRiverside, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.4 | $9,500 | $21,250 | 65% |
| 91 | American College of Healthcare and TechnologyHuntington Park, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.4 | $9,500 | $21,250 | 76% |
| 92 | American College of Healthcare and Technology-Santa AnaSanta Ana, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.4 | $9,500 | $21,250 | 72% |
| 93 | Asher CollegeSacramento, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.5 | $12,392 | $27,105 | 56% |
| 94 | UEI College-FresnoFresno, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.6 | $9,500 | $20,254 | 61% |
| 95 | UEI College-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.6 | $9,500 | $20,254 | 68% |
| 96 | Casa Loma College-Los AngelesSherman Oaks, CA | nonprofit | Associate | 5.8 | $27,291 | $56,092 | 73% |
| 97 | Associated Technical College-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.8 | $9,500 | $16,782 | 90% |
| 98 | Stanbridge UniversityIrvine, CA | for-profit | Associate | 7.4 | $30,764 | $50,198 | 62% |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Cohorts by Field of Study and by Institution (published 9 June 2026). Debt is the median federal Stafford and Grad PLUS loan debt of completers in this program; earnings are median earnings one year after completion. Where a school offers the program at both certificate and associate level, the shorter payback is shown. Completion is the institution’s published rate, not the program’s.
The Top Five, In Detail
The five fastest payback programs in California, one by one
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center
Sacramento, CA
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center is a public institution in Sacramento. Its medical assisting graduates leave with a median federal debt of $4,730 and report median earnings of $38,064 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 1.5 months of gross pay: the fastest payback in the state, and 2.6 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 65% completion rate.
Ventura Adult and Continuing Education
Ventura, CA
Ventura Adult and Continuing Education is a public institution in Ventura. Its medical assisting graduates leave with a median federal debt of $4,992 and report median earnings of $31,821 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 1.9 months of gross pay: the second fastest in the state, and 2.2 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 97% completion rate.
California Nurses Educational Institute
Rancho Mirage, CA
California Nurses Educational Institute is a private for-profit institution in Rancho Mirage. Its medical assisting graduates leave with a median federal debt of $5,500 and report median earnings of $33,592 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.0 months of gross pay: the third fastest in the state, and 2.1 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 80% completion rate.
Universal Healthcare Careers College
Los Angeles, CA
Universal Healthcare Careers College is a private for-profit institution in Los Angeles. Its medical assisting graduates leave with a median federal debt of $3,500 and report median earnings of $21,444 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.0 months of gross pay: fourth in the state, and 2.1 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 91% completion rate.
CET-San Diego
San Diego, CA
CET-San Diego is a private nonprofit institution in San Diego. Its medical assisting graduates leave with a median federal debt of $6,528 and report median earnings of $32,056 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.4 months of gross pay: fifth in the state, and 1.7 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 87% completion rate.
Read It Carefully
What this ranking does not measure
Absence from this page is not a verdict. The Department of Education suppresses figures for programs with small cohorts, so a small, excellent school will often have no publishable data at all. Schools that enroll no students on federal aid are outside this dataset entirely.
The measure is a ratio, not a repayment plan, and it counts federal loan debt only. Cash payments, private loans and employer sponsorship are invisible here. Local wages shape earnings as much as the school does, which is exactly why comparing inside one state, as this page does, is more informative than comparing across the country.
Other States
The same program, another state
Other Programs in California
Comparing a different trade in California
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