North Carolina · Verified October 2026
Medical Assistant Programs in North Carolina
Where Can You Train as a Medical Assistant in North Carolina?
44 schools in North Carolina run 80 medical assisting programs, with the most in Charlotte, Raleigh and Graham. 44 are certificates or diplomas and 32 are associate degrees. 45 are CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited, making graduates eligible for the CMA (AAMA) exam. The lowest cost we found is $1,064 at Carteret Community College, against a state median of $4,940. Medical assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $45,140 a year (BLS, May 2025).
- schools in North Carolina
- 44
- programs
- 80
- CAAHEP or ABHES accredited
- 45
- median cost
- $4,940
- median MA pay (BLS May 2025)
- $45,140
Standout Medical Assistant Programs in North Carolina
| Standout | Program | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest cost | Carteret Community College certificate: Certificate - Medical AssistingBest for keeping costs down near Morehead City · Morehead City | $1,064 estimated |
| Shortest | South Piedmont Community College certificate: Medical Assisting CertificateBest for starting work fast near Polkton · Polkton | 26 weeks |
| Most awards | Southeastern College-Charlotte certificate: Certificate in Medical AssistingBest for an established program with a track record · Charlotte | 51 MA awards, 2022-23 |
Lowest cost: the published total or published rate x credits (estimated). Shortest: the stated length in weeks. Most awards: IPEDS 2022-23 medical assisting awards at the school. Paused and bridge programs are left out.
North Carolina Medical Assistant Schools Compared
| School | Credentials | Accreditation | Shortest | Lowest cost | MA awards, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern College-CharlotteCharlotte · Private for-profit | Certificate and Associate | ABHES | 35 wk | 51 | |
| Stanly Community CollegeAlbemarle · Public | Associate, Diploma and Certificate | CAAHEP | 32 wk | $1,216 | 46 |
| Johnston Community CollegeSmithfield · Public | Diploma and Associate | CAAHEP | 43 | ||
| Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh · Public | Diploma | CAAHEP | 40 wk | $3,496 | 42 |
| Miller-Motte College-RaleighRaleigh · Private for-profit | Diploma | 65 wk | $29,920 | 37 | |
| Miller-Motte College-JacksonvilleJacksonville · Private for-profit | Diploma | 65 wk | $29,920 | 32 | |
| Miller-Motte College-FayettevilleFayetteville · Private for-profit | Diploma | 65 wk | $29,920 | 30 | |
| Vance-Granville Community CollegeHenderson · Public | Diploma and Associate | CAAHEP | $3,192 | 30 | |
| Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte · Public | Associate, Diploma and Certificate | CAAHEP | 40 wk | 29 | |
| Central Carolina Community CollegeSanford · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 32 wk | $3,420 | 27 |
| Craven Community CollegeNew Bern · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | $3,344 | 26 | |
| Davidson-Davie Community CollegeThomasville · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 80 wk | $5,092 | 23 |
| Edgecombe Community CollegeTarboro · Public | Associate and Certificate | CAAHEP | 23 | ||
| Wilkes Community CollegeWilkesboro · Public | Diploma, Associate and Certificate | CAAHEP | 80 wk | 23 | |
| Forsyth Technical Community CollegeWinston-Salem · Public | Associate, Diploma and Non-credit | CAAHEP | 24 wk | 21 | |
| Martin Community CollegeWilliamston · Public | Associate and Certificate | CAAHEP | $1,064 | 21 | |
| Carteret Community CollegeMorehead City · Public | Diploma and Certificate | CAAHEP | 32 wk | $1,064 | 19 |
| Montgomery Community CollegeTroy · Public | Associate, Diploma and Certificate | CAAHEP | $1,216 | 19 | |
| Alamance Community CollegeGraham · Public | Associate | CAAHEP | 18 | ||
| Durham Technical Community CollegeDurham · Public | Diploma | CAAHEP | 52 wk | $4,658 | 18 |
| Cape Fear Community CollegeWilmington · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 17 | ||
| Western Piedmont Community CollegeMorganton · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 80 wk | $3,572 | 17 |
| Gaston CollegeDallas · Public | Diploma and Associate | CAAHEP | 40 wk | $6,053 | 16 |
| Mayland Community CollegeSpruce Pine · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 48 wk | $3,876 | 16 |
| Southwestern Community CollegeSylva · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 48 wk | $5,106 | 16 |
| Richmond Community CollegeHamlet · Public | Non-credit | 32 wk | 15 | ||
| Nash Community CollegeRocky Mount · Public | Associate, Diploma and Certificate | CAAHEP | 13 | ||
| Pitt Community CollegeWinterville · Public | Associate | CAAHEP | $5,776 | 11 | |
| South Piedmont Community CollegePolkton · Public | Associate, Diploma and Certificate | CAAHEP | 26 wk | $1,368 | 9 |
| Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord · Private nonprofit | Diploma and Associate | CAAHEP | 48 wk | $15,111 | 8 |
| College of the AlbemarleElizabeth City · Public | Diploma and Associate | CAAHEP | 7 | ||
| Piedmont Community CollegeRoxboro · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 7 | ||
| Sampson Community CollegeClinton · Public | Diploma | CAAHEP | $3,572 | 7 | |
| Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestown · Public | Associate | CAAHEP | 6 | ||
| Wayne Community CollegeGoldsboro · Public | Associate and Certificate | CAAHEP | 6 | ||
| Brunswick Community CollegeBolivia · Public | Non-credit | 5 | |||
| Cleveland Community CollegeShelby · Public | Associate | CAAHEP | 80 wk | 5 | |
| Lenoir Community CollegeKinston · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 5 | ||
| Pamlico Community CollegeGrantsboro · Public | Diploma | CAAHEP | 5 | ||
| Tri-County Community CollegeMurphy · Public | Associate | 4 | |||
| Haywood Community CollegeClyde · Public | Diploma | CAAHEP | 48 wk | 2 | |
| Mitchell Community CollegeStatesville · Public | Associate and Diploma | CAAHEP | 2 | ||
| Randolph Community CollegeAsheboro · Public | Associate | CAAHEP | 80 wk | $5,700 | 2 |
| Sandhills Community CollegePinehurst · Public | Non-credit | CAAHEP | 30 wk |
From each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Accreditation from the CAAHEP and ABHES directories, captured October 12, 2026. Awards from IPEDS 2022-23 (CIP 51.0801) count credentials conferred, not graduates. Blank cells: the school's pages don't give that figure.
Every Medical Assistant Program in North Carolina
80 programs in North Carolina
- Associate degreeCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Associate in Applied Science in Medical Assisting (A45400) at Alamance Community College: Schedule, Cost and Skills Taught
Alamance Community College school facts and programs · Graham
- Cost
- $76per credit
- CMAAAMA
- RMAAMT
- Non-credit training
- Associate degree
- Credits
- 68
- Externship
- Included
- CMAAAMA
- DiplomaCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Medical Assistant Diploma at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences: Cost, Length and Externship
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences school profile and campuses · Concord
- Cost
- $15,111published total
- Length
- 48 wk11 months
- Credits
- 38
- Externship
- Included
- CMAAAMA
- Associate degree
- Cost
- $76per credit, 2026-27
- DiplomaCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Medical Assisting Diploma (D45400) at Cape Fear Community College: Tuition, Hours and Exams
Cape Fear Community College school facts and programs · Wilmington
- Cost
- $76per credit, 2026-27
- CertificateCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Certificate - Medical Assisting at Carteret Community College: Admission, Cost and Length
Carteret Community College school facts and programs · Morehead City
- Cost
- $1,064estimated: $76/credit × 14
- Length
- 32 wk2 semesters (fall, spring)
- Credits
- 14
- DiplomaCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Diploma - Medical Assisting at Carteret Community College: Length, Externship and Exams
Carteret Community College school facts and programs · Morehead City
- Cost
- $3,648estimated: $76/credit × 48
- Length
- 48 wk3 semesters (fall, spring, summer)
- Credits
- 48
- Externship
- Included
- CMAAAMA
- Associate degree
- Cost
- $5,244estimated: $76/credit × 69
- Length
- 91 wk5 semesters (21 months)
- Credits
- 69
- CMAAAMA
- DiplomaCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Medical Assisting Diploma at Central Carolina Community College: Admission, Cost and Length
Central Carolina Community College school profile and campuses · Sanford
- Cost
- $3,420estimated: $76/credit × 45
- Length
- 48 wk3 semesters (11 months)
- Credits
- 45
- CMAAAMA
- DiplomaCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Medical Assisting Diploma, Accelerated at Central Carolina Community College: Cost, Length and Externship
Central Carolina Community College school profile and campuses · Sanford
- Cost
- $3,420estimated: $76/credit × 45
- Length
- 32 wk2 semesters
- Credits
- 45
- CMAAAMA
- CertificateCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Fundamentals of Medical Assisting Certificate at Central Piedmont Community College: Cost, Length and Externship
Central Piedmont Community College school facts and programs · Charlotte
- Cost
- $76per credit
- Length
- 40 wk1 year
- Associate degree
- Cost
- $76per credit
- Length
- 80 wk2 years
- Externship
- Included
- CMAAAMA
- DiplomaCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Medical Assisting Diploma at Central Piedmont Community College: Admission, Cost and Length
Central Piedmont Community College school facts and programs · Charlotte
- Cost
- $76per credit
- Length
- 40 wkAs little as 2.5 semesters
- Externship
- Included
- CMAAAMA
- Associate degreeCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Medical Assisting (AAS) A45400 at Cleveland Community College: Tuition, Hours and Exams
Cleveland Community College school profile and campuses · Shelby
- Cost
- $1,582per year
- Length
- 80 wk2 years
- Credits
- 66
- Externship
- Included
- CMAAAMA
- Associate degree
- DiplomaCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Medical Assisting Diploma at College of the Albemarle: Schedule, Cost and Skills Taught
College of the Albemarle school facts and programs · Elizabeth City
- Cost
- $76per credit
- Associate degree
- Cost
- $5,472estimated: $76/credit × 72
- Credits
- 72
- DiplomaCAAHEPCMA (AAMA) eligible
Medical Assisting Diploma at Craven Community College: Schedule, Cost and Skills Taught
Craven Community College school facts and programs · New Bern
- Cost
- $3,344estimated: $76/credit × 44
- Credits
- 44
- Associate degree
- Cost
- $5,092published total, 2024-25
- Length
- 80 wk2 years
- Credits
- 67
- CMAAAMA
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Cost is the school's published program total, or its published per-credit rate times the stated credits, marked "estimated"; totals often leave out books, fees and exam costs. Length is converted to weeks from the school's wording. Accreditation and "CMA (AAMA) eligible" come only from the CAAHEP and ABHES directories, captured October 12, 2026. Exam badges show the certification exams the program's page names.
Online Medical Assistant Programs Open to North Carolina Residents
These 11 programs put all coursework online and arrange the externship at a clinic near you. Each is listed once, lowest cost first. Confirm the school can place you in North Carolina before you apply.
Medical Assistant Pay in North Carolina
- bottom tenth
- $36,010
- median
- $45,140
- top tenth
- $50,850
- employed
- 23,650
North Carolina's median of $45,140 is below the national median of $45,690. Figures are annual wages for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092), BLS OEWS May 2025.
Medical Assistant Schools in States Near North Carolina
- United Education Institute-MorrowMorrow, GA · diploma
- South University-Savannah OnlineSavannah, GA · associate degree
- United Education Institute-Stone MountainStone Mountain, GA · diploma
- Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeRome, GA · diploma · accredited
- Fortis College-ColumbiaColumbia, SC · certificate
- Southeastern College-CharlestonNorth Charleston, SC · certificate and associate degree · accredited
- Southeastern College-ColumbiaColumbia, SC · certificate and associate degree · accredited
- York Technical CollegeRock Hill, SC · certificate
- Concorde Career College-MemphisMemphis, TN · diploma and associate degree
- EduMed PartnersGoodlettsville, TN · certificate
- Academy of Allied Health CareersChattanooga, TN · certificate
- South CollegeKnoxville, TN · certificate and associate degree · accredited
- ECPI UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · associate degree · accredited
- Fortis College-RichmondRichmond, VA · diploma
- Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia BeachVirginia Beach, VA · associate degree · accredited
- Fortis College-NorfolkNorfolk, VA · diploma
Medical Assistant Programs Near North Carolina Cities
- Medical assistant programs near Asheville80 local programs in North Carolina
- Medical assistant programs near Charlotte80 local programs in North Carolina
- Medical assistant programs near Fuquay-Varina80 local programs in North Carolina
- Medical assistant programs near Gastonia80 local programs in North Carolina
- Medical assistant programs near Hickory80 local programs in North Carolina
- Medical assistant programs near Jacksonville80 local programs in North Carolina
- Medical assistant programs near Kernersville80 local programs in North Carolina
- Medical assistant programs near Salisbury80 local programs in North Carolina
- Medical assistant programs near Waxhaw80 local programs in North Carolina
Medical Assistant Programs in North Carolina: Common Questions
How Many Medical Assistant Programs Are in North Carolina?
80 at 44 schools, verified on each school's own site in October 2026. Charlotte (2), Raleigh (2), Graham (1) and Bolivia (1) have the most.
Are There Accredited Medical Assistant Programs in North Carolina?
Yes. Alamance Community College, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, Cape Fear Community College, Carteret Community College, Central Carolina Community College and Central Piedmont Community College and others run CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs (directories captured October 12, 2026). Graduates meet the standard route to the CMA (AAMA) exam. Every accredited program.
How Much Does Medical Assistant School Cost in North Carolina?
Among the 36 North Carolina programs that publish a total or a per-credit rate with their credits, cost runs from $1,064 to $29,920, with a median of $4,940.
How Much Do Medical Assistants Make in North Carolina?
The median is $45,140 a year ($21.70 an hour), with the middle half earning $38,490 to $47,500, across 23,650 medical assistants (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The national median is $45,690. Medical assistant pay in every state.
Can North Carolina Residents Train as a Medical Assistant Online?
Partly. 11 programs put all coursework online, and 17 North Carolina programs are hybrid, but every program ends in an in-person externship. Check that an online school can place you at a clinic in North Carolina before you enroll. Online medical assistant programs.
Compare Programs Beyond Your State
- Accredited Medical Assistant ProgramsCAAHEP and ABHES programs nationwide
- Online Medical Assistant ProgramsHybrid and fully online programs
- Accelerated Medical Assistant ProgramsPrograms of 32 weeks or less
- Affordable Medical Assistant ProgramsRanked by cost
- Medical Assistant CertificationCMA, RMA, CCMA and NCMA compared
- Medical Assistant Programs in Georgia35 schools
- Medical Assistant Programs in South Carolina16 schools
- Medical Assistant Programs in Tennessee21 schools
- Medical Assistant Programs in Virginia8 schools
- All StatesEvery state's programs
Sources
- Official program pages of the 44 North Carolina schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- CAAHEP, accredited medical assisting programs, captured October 12, 2026
- ABHES, directory of programmatically accredited programs, captured October 12, 2026
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23, CIP 51.0801
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Medical Assistants, state estimates