2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physician assistant students.
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2027 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
For return on investment in physician assistant, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $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.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the best values for physician assistant. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $28,127. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,226 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $67,333. That is a strong return on a $20,226 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $71,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $22,789 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $59,017. Set against $22,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,081. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. 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. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $46,566. Set against $24,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #8 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne State University placed #9 among the best values for physician assistant. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $64,434 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana State University placed #11 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $33,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Augusta University placed #12 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $58,249. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University earned the #13 position for value in physician assistant this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $58,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University placed #14 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,357 to complete the physician assistant program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Idaho State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $30,361 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $55,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arizona placed #16 among the best values for physician assistant. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #17 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $60,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $22,294 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $57,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #19 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $25,496 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $115,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #20 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,001. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #21 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $57,161. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University placed #22 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,538 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $92,165 early in their careers. Set against $20,538 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $24,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for value in physician assistant this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,516 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $63,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,516 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #25 position for value in physician assistant this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $102,089 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% 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
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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
