Best institutions to study Medical Reception/Receptionist
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of office managers, nurses, or physicians, to provide customer service, visitor reception, and patient intake and discharge services.
37 U.S. institutions graduated 962 Medical Reception/Receptionist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0712, 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 Reception/Receptionist programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of office managers, nurses, or physicians, to provide customer service, visitor reception, and patient intake and discharge services. Includes instruction in medical office and health care facility procedures, medical terminology, interpersonal skills, record-keeping, customer service, telephone skills, data entry, interpersonal communications skills, and applicable policies and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Medical Reception/Receptionist program prepares individuals to work in health care settings, providing essential support under the supervision of office managers, nurses, or physicians. This program is ideal for those interested in customer service and administrative roles within the medical field, focusing on patient interactions and office procedures.
Students will gain skills in medical office procedures, medical terminology, record-keeping, and customer service. Coursework includes training in telephone skills, data entry, and interpersonal communications, equipping graduates to effectively manage patient intake and discharge services.
Credentials awarded
What Medical Reception/Receptionist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of less than 12 weeks460 graduates / yr · 4 institutions48%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year390 graduates / yr · 23 institutions41%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years112 graduates / yr · 13 institutions12%
Graduates over time
Medical Reception/Receptionist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 670 |
| 2013 | 747 |
| 2014 | 678 |
| 2015 | 548 |
| 2016 | 442 |
| 2017 | 433 |
| 2018 | 744 |
| 2019 | 745 |
| 2020 | 693 |
| 2021 | 781 |
| 2022 | 730 |
| 2023 | 913 |
| 2024 | 844 |
| 2025 | 962 |
Top 37 institutions for Medical Reception/Receptionist, 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 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 229 | 37% | — | — |
| 2 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 210 | 25% | — | — |
| 3 | Arkansas State University Three Rivers Malvern, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 168 | 26% | — | — |
| 4 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 47% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 49% | — | — |
| 6 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 17% | — | — |
| 7 | Northwest Career College Las Vegas, NVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 68% | $15,787 | $30,079 |
| 8 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 41% | — | $26,932 |
| 9 | Highline College Des Moines, WAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 35% | — | — |
| 10 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 58% | — | — |
| 11 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 19 | 65% | — | $34,534 |
| 12 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 36% | — | $71,572 |
| 13 | Madison Area Technical College Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 29% | — | $43,237 |
| 14 | Valley College - Martinsburg Martinsburg, WVPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 66% | $25,386 | $20,993 |
| 15 | Southwest Technical College Cedar City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 95% | — | — |
| 16 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 45% | — | $33,317 |
| 17 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 33% | — | $35,905 |
| 18 | Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 8 | 32% | — | — |
| 19 | Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 56% | — | $35,796 |
| 20 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 66% | — | $29,147 |
| 21 | Terra State Community College Fremont, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 39% | — | — |
| 22 | Middlesex Community College Bedford, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 23% | — | — |
| 23 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 61% | — | — |
| 24 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 42% | — | — |
| 25 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 40% | — | — |
| 26 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 48% | — | — |
| 27 | Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City, SDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 54% | — | — |
| 28 | Mt Hood Community College Gresham, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 24% | — | — |
| 29 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 50% | — | — |
| 30 | Lewis - Clark State College Lewiston, IDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 31 | Illinois Central College East Peoria, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 49% | — | — |
| 32 | Cape Cod Community College West Barnstable, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 22% | — | — |
| 33 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 47% | — | $39,534 |
| 34 | Edmonds College Lynnwood, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 29% | — | — |
| 35 | Everett Community College Everett, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 37% | — | $31,385 |
| 36 | Pierce College District Lakewood, WAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 31% | — | — |
| 37 | Olympic College Bremerton, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 31% | — | — |
* 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 16 states
Where Medical Reception/Receptionist graduates come from. Each state links to all Health and Medical Administrative Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 5 | 263 | Milwaukee Area Technical College210 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 230 | College of Lake County229 / yr |
| Arkansas | 2 | 203 | Arkansas State University Three Rivers168 / yr |
| Georgia | 4 | 68 | Central Georgia Technical College42 / yr |
| Washington | 8 | 59 | Highline College22 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 29 | Sinclair Community College22 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 25 | Henry Ford College25 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 25 | Northwest Career College25 / yr |
| Minnesota | 4 | 16 | Anoka Technical College7 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 15 | Valley College - Martinsburg15 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 11 | Southwest Technical College11 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 6 | Middlesex Community College5 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 4 | The University of Montana4 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 4 | Western Dakota Technical College4 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 3 | Mt Hood Community College3 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 1 | Lewis - Clark State College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 43-6013, Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Medical Reception/Receptionist program can pursue careers as Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, with an outlook for job growth at 4.2%. There are approximately 85,900 annual openings in this field, offering a median wage of $44,640, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0712
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 |
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers SOC 43-1011 | $69,500 | -0.3% Little or no change | ~144,500 | 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 Reception/Receptionist 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 - Medical Office Assistant/CIP 51.0710
Specialist 4,612 graduates / yr186 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 - 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 is the duration of the program?+
The program can award credentials in less than 12 weeks, or in durations of 12 weeks to less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and customer service.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.2%.
What is the CIP code for Medical Reception/Receptionist?+
Medical Reception/Receptionist is CIP 51.0712 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, nurses, or physicians, to provide customer service, visitor reception, and patient intake and discharge services. Includes instruction in medical office and health care facility procedures, medical terminology, interpersonal skills, record-keeping, customer service, telephone skills, data entry, interpersonal communications skills, and applicable policies and regulations.
How many institutions offer Medical Reception/Receptionist programs?+
37 U.S. institutions reported Medical Reception/Receptionist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states, awarding 962 credentials in the year. That is 1.1% of all Health and Medical Administrative Services graduates.
How much do Medical Reception/Receptionist 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 Reception/Receptionist 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 $34,534 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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