Phillip EdwinLos Angeles offers a robust and diverse landscape for medical assistant education, driven by a critical demand for healthcare professionals across the region. Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks, including taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, preparing and administering medications, and managing medical records.
Training programs typically range from 9 to 12 months for certificates to 18 months to 2 years for associate degrees . The city is home to a wide array of programs, from prestigious hospital-based training at UCLA Health to career-focused private colleges and affordable public community colleges. Choosing the right program involves considering factors like accreditation, hands-on training opportunities, externship placements, certification exam pass rates, and overall cost .
Top 20 Medical Assistant Schools in Los Angeles
1. UCLA Health Medical Assistant Program
This prestigious program, offered through UCLA Extension and UCLA Health, provides a transformative training experience with rigorous academic coursework and real-world clinical experience. Students benefit from direct training within one of the top hospital systems in the world.
The program boasts a 100% certification pass rate from 2018-2024 and exceptional job placement rates, with many UCLA Health clinics eager to hire graduates . All students come from low-income households, and scholarships can reduce tuition to as low as $2,000, with the LA Urban League sponsoring tuition-free attendance for Latinx and African American students .
2. American Career College – Los Angeles
This career-focused school offers a Medical Assistant program that combines online coursework with hands-on training in a 50,000-square-foot facility with modern classrooms and advanced skills labs. Students practice skills like taking vital signs, administering injections, and using EKG machines in an industry-current environment.
The program can be completed in as little as 9 months and includes a 200-hour externship for real-world experience. ACC also offers weekend class options for scheduling flexibility and prepares graduates for CMA and RMA certification exams. Over 8,000 students have graduated from this program.
3. Angeles College
This private for-profit institution in Los Angeles offers a Medical Assisting program. It has a student-to-teacher ratio of 24 to 1 and enrolls 603 students overall. Recently, 16 Medical/Clinical Assistant students graduated with Certificates. The school provides focused, practical training designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in healthcare settings throughout the Los Angeles area.
4. West Los Angeles College
This public community college offers multiple pathways in medical assisting, including certificates and associate degrees. Recently, 40 Medical/Clinical Assistant students graduated, with 30 earning Certificates and 10 earning Associate’s degrees . As a public institution, tuition is significantly more affordable than private options, with costs ranging from $1,238 to $10,130 per program. The college also offers a Medical Assisting Essentials Certificate for high school students through dual enrollment .
5. Concorde Career College – North Hollywood
This private for-profit, two-year college in North Hollywood offers a Medical Assisting program. Recently, 131 students graduated from the program, with 117 earning Certificates and 14 earning Associate’s degrees . The school focuses on career preparation and hands-on clinical training, preparing graduates for certification exams and immediate employment in the healthcare field.
6. CBD College
Located in Los Angeles, CBD College is a private institution offering medical assistant training. It has a student-to-teacher ratio of 47 to 1 and enrolls 1,581 students. The school provides comprehensive training designed to prepare students for careers in medical assisting with a focus on practical skills and professional readiness.
7. Platt College – Los Angeles
This private for-profit, four-year university in Alhambra offers a Medical/Clinical Assistant degree program. In a recent year, 22 students graduated with Associate’s degrees in the field. The school has a student-to-teacher ratio of 27 to 1 and enrolls 570 students. Platt College provides career-focused education with an emphasis on hands-on training and professional development.
8. East Los Angeles College
This very large, public, two-year college in Monterey Park offers medical assisting programs. Recently, 72 students graduated, with 61 earning Certificates and 11 earning Associate’s degrees . As a public community college, it offers an affordable pathway to a medical assisting career with comprehensive training in both clinical and administrative skills.
9. Cerritos College
This very large, public, two-year college offers medical assisting programs. In a recent year 69 students graduated, with 49 earning Certificates and 20 earning Associate’s degrees. The college provides accessible, affordable training with a strong emphasis on practical skills and industry-aligned curriculum for aspiring medical assistants.
10. Downey Adult School
This public, two-year school in Downey offers medical assisting programs and graduated 206 students with Certificates recently. As an adult education institution, it provides flexible, accessible training for career changers and adult learners seeking entry into the healthcare field at an affordable cost.
11. Glendale Career College
This private for-profit, four-year university in Glendale offers a Medical/Clinical Assistant program. In the past year, 8 students graduated with Certificates in the field . The school has a student-to-teacher ratio of 75 to 1 and enrolls 896 students . It provides focused training for students seeking careers in medical assisting.
12. Santa Ana College
Located in Santa Ana, this very large, public, four-year university offers medical assisting programs. Recently, 444 students graduated in this field, with 238 earning Associate’s degrees and 206 earning Certificates . The school provides comprehensive training with a strong track record of preparing graduates for healthcare careers.
13. Los Angeles Career College
This career-focused school offers a medical assistant training program that can be completed in as little as six months. Graduates receive job referrals to help secure placement at top establishments. The program is designed for students seeking a fast-track pathway to employment in the healthcare field.
14. Healthcare Career College
Located in Paramount, Healthcare Career College offers a comprehensive medical assistant training program. The school regularly holds information sessions for prospective students to learn about the program and determine if it fits their career goals. Tuition is approximately $33,612 per year .
15. National Career College
This notable institution offers medical assistant training in the Los Angeles area. It is recognized as a prominent option for students seeking career-focused education and practical training for entry-level healthcare positions .
16. LA Vocational Institute
This school provides vocational training, including medical assisting programs, designed to prepare students for immediate employment. It offers practical, hands-on education with a focus on developing the skills needed for success in healthcare settings .
17. Glendale Community College
This large, public, two-year college in Glendale offers medical assisting programs. Recently, 38 students graduated, with 25 earning Certificates and 13 earning Associate’s degrees. The college provides accessible, affordable training for students seeking careers in healthcare.
18. Antelope Valley Community College District
This large, public, four-year university offers medical assisting programs. In the past year, 38 students graduated, with 20 earning Associate’s degrees and 18 earning Certificates . The school provides comprehensive training with a focus on preparing students for certification and employment in healthcare.
19. Saddleback College
Located in Mission Viejo, this very large, public, two-year college offers medical assisting programs. Recently, 104 students graduated, with 101 earning Certificates and 3 earning Associate’s degrees. The college provides extensive training options for students pursuing careers in medical assisting.
20. Bryan University
This small, private for-profit, four-year university offers medical assisting programs. Recently, 368 students graduated with Certificates in the field. The school provides comprehensive training with a focus on preparing students for certification and successful careers in healthcare.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Approx. Cost | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UCLA Health Medical Assistant Program | As low as $2,000 | 100% cert pass rate, UCLA Health training |
| 2 | American Career College – Los Angeles | $18,390 per program | 9 months, 200-hour externship |
| 3 | Angeles College | Varies | 16 graduates, Recently |
| 4 | West Los Angeles College | $1,238–$10,130 | Public college, multiple pathways |
| 5 | Concorde Career College – North Hollywood | Varies | 131 graduates, Recently |
| 6 | CBD College | Varies | 1,581 enrolled students |
| 7 | Platt College – Los Angeles | Varies | 22 graduates, Recently |
| 8 | East Los Angeles College | Varies | 72 graduates, Recently |
| 9 | Cerritos College | Varies | 69 graduates, Recently |
| 10 | Downey Adult School | Varies | 206 graduates, Recently |
| 11 | Glendale Career College | Varies | 8 graduates, Recently |
| 12 | Santa Ana College | Varies | 444 graduates, Recently |
| 13 | Los Angeles Career College | $11,000 per program | 6-month completion |
| 14 | Healthcare Career College | $33,612 per year | Information sessions available |
| 15 | National Career College | Varies | Prominent LA option |
| 16 | LA Vocational Institute | Varies | Vocational training focus |
| 17 | Glendale Community College | Varies | 38 graduates, Recently |
| 18 | Antelope Valley Community College | Varies | 38 graduates, Recently |
| 19 | Saddleback College | Varies | 104 graduates, Recently |
| 20 | Bryan University | Varies | 368 graduates, Recently |
Success Tips for Application
Start by prioritizing programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), as accreditation ensures eligibility for national certification exams such as CMA, RMA, and CCMA . Research each school’s certification exam pass rates, as this is a key indicator of program quality; UCLA Health reports a 100% pass rate.
Consider the cost differences between public and private institutions, as community colleges like West LA College offer significantly lower tuition than private career colleges. Evaluate program length and format, as options range from 6 months to 2 years, with some schools offering weekend classes or blended learning for scheduling flexibility.
Attend information sessions and campus tours to get a firsthand feel for the environment and program . Finally, consider your career goals and whether the program offers a direct pipeline to employment, such as UCLA Health’s hiring partnerships, or requires you to secure your own externship placements.
Closing
Los Angeles offers a diverse array of medical assistant programs, from the prestigious UCLA Health program with its 100% certification pass rate to affordable public community colleges and career-focused private institutions. The demand for medical assistants in the region remains strong, with thousands of job openings projected annually across private medical offices, hospitals, urgent care centers, and community health centers.
When choosing a program, students should prioritize proper accreditation, review certification exam pass rates, and carefully weigh tuition costs against program features and flexibility. By thoroughly researching each option and preparing a strong application, prospective students can find a medical assistant program in Los Angeles that fits their needs and sets them on a rewarding career path in the vital and growing healthcare field.