2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in Michigan
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
University Of Michigan Flint tops our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools in Michigan. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $31,016. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $64,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #2 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for physician assistant. 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, 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 $87,447. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #3 place for physician assistant. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $69,332. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Detroit Mercy earned it the #4 place for physician assistant. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $29,053. 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%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. 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. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $28,781. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $104,313. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #6 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $85,201. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for physician assistant. 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. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $102,089. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,410 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,497. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $88,329. That is a strong return on a $26,497 median debt. Concordia University Ann Arbor admits about 69% of applicants.
Lawrence Technological University placed #9 among the best values for physician assistant. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,760. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. That is a strong return on a $27,799 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physician assistant education at a price that pays off.
