by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 277 U.S. colleges awarded 13,743 degrees and certificates in Physician Assistant. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 93% of graduates. College Factual ranks 273 schools in its 2027 Best Physician Assistant Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing, rising to $77,808 after four years.
A degree in Physician Assistant explores Physician Assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Practice Medicine, Including Diagnoses And Treatment Therapies, Under The Supervision Of A Physician. Includes Instruction In The Basic Medical And Clinical Sciences And Specialized Preparation In Fields Such As Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology, General Surgery, Psychiatry, And Behavioral Medicine; The Delivery Of Health Care Services To Homebound Patients, Rural Populations, And Underserved Populations; And Community Health Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, physician assistant draws strong interest, with 13,743 degrees awarded annually. 277 colleges award physician assistant degrees, an average of 50 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 310.
By level, the 13,743 awards include 2 certificates, 26 associate degrees, 313 bachelor’s degrees, 12,808 master’s degrees and 594 doctorates.
Women earned 78% of physician assistant degrees and certificates in the latest year (10,749 of 13,743). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (8,499) and Asian (1,604), and international students earned 74.
College Factual ranks 273 schools in its 2027 Best Physician Assistant Schools ranking, including 63 for bachelor’s degrees, 269 for master’s degrees and 11 for doctorates. It also ranks physician assistant schools within 45 states. In all, 277 colleges offer physician assistant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Physician Assistant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common physician assistant credential is the master’s degree: 12,808 of the 13,743 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to physician assistant call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Speaking, and for knowledge of Medicine and Dentistry, Biology and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a physician assistant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 26 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 313 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12,808 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 594 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to physician assistant, at 65.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 65.4% |
| First professional degree | 9.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Physician Assistant, with an average median salary of $80,071; the strongest outlook belongs to Anesthesiologist Assistants, at 15.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Surgical Physician Assistant (Surgical PA), Urgent Care PA (Urgent Care Physician Assistant), Orthopedic Physician Assistant and Family Practice Physician Assistant.
The occupation related to physician assistant with the most projected jobs is Physician Assistants, at 2,607,247.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistants | 2,607,247 | 6.7% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Anesthesiologist Assistants | 134,553 | 15.0% |
Physician Assistant graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing their program, $77,808 after four years and $70,516 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,190 |
| 4 years | $77,808 |
| 5 years | $70,516 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to physician assistant, with a median salary of $116,229.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist Assistants | $116,229 |
| Physician Assistants | $77,320 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Physician Assistant has 21 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 84,731 degrees a year; the largest are Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) (32,528), Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (13,037) and Surgical Technology/Technologist (8,514). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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