2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physician assistant education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physician assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in physician assistant, no school beat Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $24,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $64,434. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, 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 $87,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $20,985. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $88,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #5 place for physician assistant. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $64,687. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of St Francis placed #6 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $81,259. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University placed #7 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $112,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cleveland State University came in at #8 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. 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. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #9 position for value in physician assistant this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $111,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Carroll University came in at #10 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $75,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #11 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $88,942. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #12 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $102,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #13 spot for physician assistant value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $85,201. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #14 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $108,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #15 for value in physician assistant this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $104,313. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Ursuline College landed the #16 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ursuline College admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #17 among the best values for physician assistant. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,000. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $88,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Central Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for physician assistant. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $69,332 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph earned the #19 position for value in physician assistant this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,150. Students borrow a median of $28,273 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $97,906. Set against $28,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #20 among the best values for physician assistant. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,422 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $54,166. Set against $27,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville placed #21 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $107,819. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mercy College Of Ohio came in at #22 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Toledo, Mercy College Of Ohio is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,345. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,958 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $47,886. That is a strong return on a $20,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earned the #23 position for value in physician assistant this year. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $19,500. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $87,705. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University came in at #24 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,724. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $51,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College earned the #25 position for value in physician assistant this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $46,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physician assistant this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
