2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Bachelor’s Degree 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.
College Factual analyzed 289 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physician assistant schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physician assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
Florida State University earned the #1 spot for value among physician assistant schools in the United States. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $28,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $71,505. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $15,117. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $105,700 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Marshall University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $22,789 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $59,017. That is a strong return on a $22,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Kean University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Augusta University placed #7 among the best values for physician assistant. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,500. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $58,249. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #8 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $60,232. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #9 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $63,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Arizona landed the #10 spot for physician assistant value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #11 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana State University placed #12 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Physician Assistant graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $33,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #13 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $24,470 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $46,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $116,584. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cleveland State University landed the #15 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $24,357. Physician Assistant graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $26,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,357 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $29,192 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $59,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
Stony Brook University landed the #17 spot for physician assistant value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,538 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $92,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #18 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $57,161. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Mesa State College earned the #19 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,823 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $54,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Kettering College came in at #20 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Kettering, Kettering College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,320. Students borrow a median of $36,875 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Kettering College generally make around $65,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Toledo earned the #21 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,000. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $66,769. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $22,294 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $57,714. Set against $22,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Radford University landed the #23 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $58,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #24 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #25 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $99,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physician assistant:
Other Physician Assistant Degree Levels
Explore the best-value physician assistant schools at other degree levels:
View All Physician Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 289 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
