2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 240 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physician assistant students.
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Finding the Best Value Physician Assistant School for You
The physician assistant program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Physician Assistant Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physician Assistant Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physician assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for physician assistant in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $17,669. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $107,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the physician assistant program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $68,066. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #5 place for physician assistant. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $105,700. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $31,625. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $131,897. That is a strong return on a $31,625 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Red Rocks Community College earned the #7 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $17,885. Physician Assistant graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $93,958 early in their careers. Set against $17,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,926 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $54,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University landed the #9 spot for physician assistant value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #10 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $24,150. Physician Assistant graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $85,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,150 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Moreno Valley College landed the #11 spot for physician assistant value this year. Moreno Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #12 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $116,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for physician assistant. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $63,300. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Cuny City College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $13,389. Physician Assistant graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $122,866 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College landed the #15 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $12,573. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $138,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned the #16 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Marshall University came in at #17 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $22,789. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $59,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #18 for value in physician assistant this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $64,434. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $89,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #20 position for value in physician assistant this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,985 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $88,835. Set against $20,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Florida International University came in at #21 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $99,899. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Wayne State University came in at #22 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,000. Physician Assistant graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $87,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #23 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $105,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College placed #24 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $135,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kean University earned the #25 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physician assistant value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 240 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
