How Much Does Medical Assistant Training Cost in Kansas City?

School	Cost	Program Length	Online Available?	Externship	Cert. Prep
University Health (Apprenticeship)	Free (Paid while training)	6 months	Partial	Yes	CMA
Meritas Health / Park University	Free (Paid training)	14 weeks	Partial	Yes	CMA
Kansas City Sch. of Phlebotomy	$2,300 (+$300 externship)	11 weeks	No	Optional	CCMA
Metropolitan Comm. College (MCC)	$2,795	12 months (self-paced)	Yes	Optional	CCMA
UCM (Lee’s Summit)	$3,995	~4 months (325 hrs)	No	Yes	CCMA
Mid-America College of Health Sciences	$9,800	22 weeks	No	Yes	CCMA
M2Y Career Academy	$9,800	6 months	No	Yes	CCMA + others
WellSpring (Certificate)	$17,400	10 months	No	Yes	CMA + CPT
WellSpring (AOS Degree)	$23,500	16–24 months	No	Yes	Multiple
Concorde Career College	$19,935	9 months	Partial	Yes (230 hrs)	Optional
Rasmussen University (Admin only)	Not listed (est. under $10K)	9 months	Yes	No	Admin Cert

What to Consider When Comparing Costs

1. Free Isn’t Always Free—But It Might Be Best

Programs at University Health and Meritas Health are completely tuition-free and include paid training, making them the most cost-effective paths. However, they come with employment commitments—University Health may expect post-training employment, while Meritas requires 18 months of work at an MH clinic.

2. Accelerated vs. Comprehensive Programs

Short programs like those at KC School of Phlebotomy (11 weeks) and UCM (4 months) allow faster entry into the field but might offer less depth or fewer career pathways than longer diploma or degree programs.

If you’re aiming for entry-level work quickly, these can be perfect. But if you want upward mobility or broader credentials, Concorde or WellSpring’s AOS may be better—if you can afford the price tag.

3. Externship Experience Is Crucial

Programs with built-in externships (like Mid-America, UCM, or KCKCC) give you clinical experience that employers expect. Some programs (e.g., MCC and KCSP) offer optional externships at additional cost or with conditions.

4. Online Learning vs. Hands-On Training

If your schedule requires flexibility, MCC, Rasmussen, and Concorde offer partial or fully online programs. Keep in mind that online-only options may lack externships, which can limit your real-world experience and confidence in clinical roles.

5. Hidden Fees and Certification Requirements

Always ask:

• Is the certification exam fee included?
• Are there uniforms, books, background checks, or immunization requirements?
• Will you need to retake CPR training or pay for recertification?

Programs like KCSP and MACOHS are transparent with all-in costs, while others may require extra fees not listed upfront.

Ways to Reduce Your Out-of-Pocket Costs

✅ Apply for Employer-Funded Programs

• University Health and Meritas Health cover training and pay you to learn.
• These options are ideal if you’re okay with working for the employer after graduation.

✅ Use Workforce Programs and Local Grants

• Mid-America and UCM often partner with Great Jobs KC, Missouri Full Employment Council, and Kansas Workforce Partnership—students may receive full tuition coverage if eligible.
• Always ask if the school helps with these applications.

✅ Choose a Community College

• Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) and Metropolitan Community College offer some of the most affordable programs for local residents—starting at $107 per credit hour at KCKCC.

✅ Ask About Payment Plans

• KCSP, MACOHS, and WellSpring offer flexible installment plans—sometimes at no additional cost.