2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Master’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong physician assistant education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 289 schools to find the best return on investment for physician assistant students.
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
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, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $107,126. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #2 place for physician assistant. 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. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $31,625 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $128,410 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $108,004. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $25,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $115,329. That is a strong return on a $25,496 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #6 for value in physician assistant 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #7 spot for physician assistant value 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, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $123,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $63,300. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Cuny York College earned the #9 position for value in physician assistant this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. 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.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #10 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $14,694. Physician Assistant graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $116,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #11 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #12 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $14,622. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $49,032. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio came in at #14 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $27,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $16,627. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio generally make around $106,348. That is a strong return on a $16,627 median debt.
Florida International University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $99,899 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University earned the #16 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $22,789 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $59,017 early in their careers. Set against $22,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University landed the #18 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $21,645. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $105,814. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $23,741. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #20 for value in physician assistant this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University earned the #21 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,500. Physician Assistant graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #22 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $110,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University earned the #23 position for value in physician assistant this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Red Rocks Community College earned the #24 position for value in physician assistant this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $17,885. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $115,190. That is a strong return on a $17,885 median debt.
Wichita State University earned the #25 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $116,584 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% 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
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physician Assistant rankings across degree levels:
View All Physician Assistant Rankings >
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 · 289 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 195 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.
