My search for a school program

I would like to find a school where I can take a health program that is not too expensive and not too long. I found a program in the New York School.
The website is: www.nysmda.com
The program will help me become a medical assistant in 9 months. Seven months will be school and two will be an internship. It starts on 11/29/10 and ends on 6/11. Classes are Monday to Friday from 8AM to 1PM. The cost of the program is $14,400 plus a $100 registration fee. If I qualify, I can receive financial aid, but it is not guaranteed. When I finish the program, I will receive a medical assistant certificate.
I found another program in the Manhattan Institute.
The website is www.manhattaninstitute.com
The classes and the requirements are the same, but the schedule is different. This program starts on 11/9/10. It is 9 months long, but 6 months are classes, and the other 3 are an internship. The program does not offer any financial aid. The course costs $5,000 and I can pay weekly in two ways. I can pay $245 every week until I have finished paying, or $166.60 for 30 weeks. When the program finishes, I receive a medical assistant certificate.
The third program I found is in Plaza College.
The website is www.plazacollege.edu
It is in Queens, near my house. The course lasts for about two years. The requirements are the same as the first two courses. But, I need to take and pass an admission test to get into the college. I need to complete 60 credits. There are 6 semesters. Each semester costs $5,000. If I qualify, I can receive financial aid to cover part of this cost. The difference is that when I finish, I will receive an associates degree as a medical assistant.
My question for you Mr. Bino is what the difference is between getting a certificate or an associate degree for a medical assistant. I don't have money to pay for an expensive career because even with financial aid, I would still have to pay some expenses. I have thought, and thought, and thought about what I am going to do. In the Manhattan Institute, the phlebotomy technician and EKG combo program is only three weeks long, and it costs $1,200. There is no financial aid, but I think I am able to pay it. Classes start from 9AM to 3PM, and a new course starts every month. At the end of the course I would receive a certificate for phlebotomy and EKG. But, the problem is that I would need experience in order to find a job in phlebotomy or EKG. I think I could volunteer at a clinic or hospital after receiving my certificate. After that, it would be less difficult to find a job.
I keep thinking, and thinking, and thinking, and I would like it if you would give me your opinion about my search for a school program.

Thank You Mr. Bino,
Carmita Castro