Best institutions to study Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of office managers and other professionals, to perform routine administrative duties in a medical, clinical, or health care facility/system office environment.
186 U.S. institutions graduated 4,612 Medical Office Assistant/Specialist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0710, a specialization of Health and Medical Administrative Services (CIP 51.07), and leads most directly to the Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 43-6013).
About Medical Office Assistant/Specialist programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of office managers and other professionals, to perform routine administrative duties in a medical, clinical, or health care facility/system office environment. Includes instruction in general office skills, data processing, office equipment operation, principles of medical record-keeping and business regulations, medical/clinical office procedures, and communications skills.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Medical Office Assistant/Specialist program is designed to prepare individuals for administrative roles within medical, clinical, or healthcare environments. Under the supervision of office managers and other professionals, students learn to perform essential tasks that support the smooth operation of healthcare facilities.
Students in this program gain skills in general office procedures, medical record-keeping, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers data processing, office equipment operation, and the principles of business regulations in healthcare settings.
Credentials awarded
What Medical Office Assistant/Specialist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,936 graduates / yr · 92 institutions42%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,316 graduates / yr · 80 institutions29%
- Associate's degree1,027 graduates / yr · 30 institutions22%
- Award of less than 12 weeks327 graduates / yr · 5 institutions7.1%
- Bachelor's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Medical Office Assistant/Specialist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 14,029 |
| 2013 | 11,488 |
| 2014 | 10,971 |
| 2015 | 9,427 |
| 2016 | 9,103 |
| 2017 | 8,266 |
| 2018 | 6,592 |
| 2019 | 5,305 |
| 2020 | 4,793 |
| 2021 | 4,885 |
| 2022 | 4,981 |
| 2023 | 4,139 |
| 2024 | 4,419 |
| 2025 | 4,612 |
Top 50 institutions for Medical Office Assistant/Specialist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 653 | 19% | $16,966 | $42,511 |
| 2 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 268 | 35% | — | $43,801 |
| 3 | Concorde Career College - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 164 | 53% | $29,551 | $23,677 |
| 4 | Hunter Business School Levittown, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 161 | 85% | $27,954 | $32,968 |
| 5 | Martinsburg College Cheyenne, WYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 137 | 60% | $12,163 | $21,374 |
| 6 | Centura College - Newport News Newport News, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 122 | 75% | $27,110 | $26,072 |
| 7 | Austin Medical Assistant Training Forest Hills, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 112 | 100% | — | — |
| 8 | EDP School Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 103 | 98% | $11,616 | $29,374 |
| 9 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 100 | 43% | — | $26,061 |
| 10 | CCI Training Center - Arlington Arlington, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 98 | 74% | $14,207 | $31,418 |
| 11 | Bryan University Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 92 | 41% | $22,877 | $31,004 |
| 12 | Regional Center for Border Health Somerton, AZPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 91 | 87% | — | — |
| 13 | Concorde Career College - Memphis Memphis, TNPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 87 | 55% | $23,740 | $25,088 |
| 14 | Centura College - Chesapeake Chesapeake, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 86 | 71% | $28,987 | $23,876 |
| 15 | Bryant & Stratton College - Online Orchard Park, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 81 | 23% | $14,394 | $30,013 |
| 16 | Ana G. Mendez University Orlando, FLPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 81 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Centura College - Norfolk Norfolk, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 77 | 73% | $28,550 | $23,876 |
| 18 | Institute of Medical Careers Pittsburgh, PAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 72 | 76% | $20,376 | $24,805 |
| 19 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 71 | 65% | $28,911 | $43,578 |
| 20 | Ross College - Sylvania Sylvania, OHPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 62 | 53% | $28,241 | $31,782 |
| 21 | UEI College - Chula Vista Chula Vista, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 49 | 71% | $28,465 | $25,699 |
| 22 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 34% | — | — |
| 23 | Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 34% | — | — |
| 24 | The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 45 | 47% | $28,425 | $34,266 |
| 25 | Institute for Business and Technology San Jose, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 84% | $26,509 | $29,313 |
| 26 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 42 | 38% | — | — |
| 27 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 41 | 58% | — | $32,906 |
| 28 | Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 28% | — | $38,240 |
| 29 | Indian Capital Technology Center - Muskogee Muskogee, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 100% | — | $16,166 |
| 30 | Platt College - Ontario Ontario, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 39 | 58% | $28,453 | — |
| 31 | National Career Education Citrus Heights, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 38 | 83% | $25,889 | $29,313 |
| 32 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 32% | — | $41,337 |
| 33 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 32% | — | — |
| 34 | Concorde Career College - Southaven Southaven, MSPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 31 | 65% | $21,986 | $25,088 |
| 35 | UEI College - Stockton Stockton, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 71% | $27,036 | $25,699 |
| 36 | Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 56% | — | $35,796 |
| 37 | Blue Cliff College - Alexandria Alexandria, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 34% | $22,106 | $24,478 |
| 38 | Escondido Adult School Escondido, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 27 | — | — | — |
| 39 | CET - Salinas Salinas, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 68% | $6,523 | — |
| 40 | Vista Adult School Vista, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 26 | — | — | — |
| 41 | San Joaquin Valley College - Visalia Visalia, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 25 | 36% | $30,518 | $26,452 |
| 42 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 81% | — | $26,105 |
| 43 | Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio San Antonio, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 53% | $28,006 | $23,883 |
| 44 | PCI Health Training Center Dallas, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 86% | $20,087 | $27,025 |
| 45 | UEI College - Huntington Park Huntington Park, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 70% | $29,313 | $25,699 |
| 46 | Jackson College Jackson, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 16% | — | — |
| 47 | Southern Oklahoma Technology Center Ardmore, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 83% | — | — |
| 48 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 58% | — | — |
| 49 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | 71% | — | $25,309 |
| 50 | West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown Morgantown, WVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 71% | $19,134 | $26,443 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Health and Medical Administrative Services field (CIP 51.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 41 states & territories
Where Medical Office Assistant/Specialist graduates come from. Each state links to all Health and Medical Administrative Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 43-6013, Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Medical Office Assistant/Specialist program can pursue careers as Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants. The job outlook is favorable, with an annual growth rate of 4.2% and approximately 85,900 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $44,640, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0710
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistantsprimary SOC 43-6013 | $45,930 | +4.2% About as fast as average | ~85,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Medical Office Assistant/Specialist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
- Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
- Complete insurance or other claim forms.
- Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
- Transmit correspondence or medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
- Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files.
Tools and technology used
Other Health and Medical Administrative Services specializations
The 23 other 6-digit CIP codes under Health and Medical Administrative Services (CIP 51.07).
- Health/CIP 51.0701
Health Care Administration/ Management 28,580 graduates / yr704 institutions - Health Information/CIP 51.0707
Medical Records Technology/ Technician 12,261 graduates / yr314 institutions - Medical Insurance Specialist/CIP 51.0714
Medical Biller 11,432 graduates / yr160 institutions - Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/CIP 51.0713
Coder 10,263 graduates / yr355 institutions - Medical Administrative/CIP 51.0716
Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary 6,024 graduates / yr223 institutions - Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/CIP 51.0702
Management 3,432 graduates / yr63 institutions - Health and Medical Administrative ServicesCIP 51.07993,295 graduates / yr91 institutions
- Health Information/CIP 51.0706
Medical Records Administration/ Administrator 2,865 graduates / yr126 institutions - Medical Office Management/CIP 51.0705
Administration 2,627 graduates / yr115 institutions - Medical/CIP 51.0711
Health Management and Clinical Assistant/ Specialist 1,344 graduates / yr20 institutions - Medical Reception/CIP 51.0712
Receptionist 962 graduates / yr37 institutions - Clinical Research CoordinatorCIP 51.0719342 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Healthcare InnovationCIP 51.0722284 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Long Term Care Administration/CIP 51.0718
Management 148 graduates / yr23 institutions - Health Unit Coordinator/CIP 51.0703
Ward Clerk 109 graduates / yr11 institutions - Regulatory Science/CIP 51.0720
Affairs partial data95 graduates / yr7 institutions - Medical Office Computer Specialist/CIP 51.0709
Assistant partial data75 graduates / yr7 institutions - Health Unit Manager/CIP 51.0704
Ward Supervisor partial data38 graduates / yr5 institutions - Medical Transcription/CIP 51.0708
Transcriptionist partial data30 graduates / yr9 institutions - Medical Staff Services Technology/CIP 51.0717
Technician partial data29 graduates / yr5 institutions - Disease Registry Data ManagementCIP 51.0721partial data28 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Health/CIP 51.0715
Medical Claims Examiner limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions - Healthcare Information Privacy Assurance and SecurityCIP 51.0723limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Health and Medical Administrative Services programs →
Common questions
What type of degree can I earn?+
You can earn various awards, including a certificate of at least 12 weeks, an associate's degree, or an award of less than 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing, among others.
What are the job prospects?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.2% and 85,900 annual openings.
What tasks will I perform in this role?+
You will answer phones, schedule appointments, complete insurance forms, greet visitors, and transmit medical records.
What is the CIP code for Medical Office Assistant/Specialist?+
Medical Office Assistant/Specialist is CIP 51.0710 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Health and Medical Administrative Services (CIP 51.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of office managers and other professionals, to perform routine administrative duties in a medical, clinical, or health care facility/system office environment. Includes instruction in general office skills, data processing, office equipment operation, principles of medical record-keeping and business regulations, medical/clinical office procedures, and communications skills.
How many institutions offer Medical Office Assistant/Specialist programs?+
186 U.S. institutions reported Medical Office Assistant/Specialist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 41 states & territories, awarding 4,612 credentials in the year. That is 5.2% of all Health and Medical Administrative Services graduates.
How much do Medical Office Assistant/Specialist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants occupation, which Medical Office Assistant/Specialist most directly leads to, pays a median of $45,930 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Health and Medical Administrative Services field report median earnings of $26,838 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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