[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 270 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physician assistant schools.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for physician assistant. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. 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 $108,004. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $105,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for physician assistant. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $31,625. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $128,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #6 among the best values for physician assistant. 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. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,150 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $123,213 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.
Utah Valley University came in at #7 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 for value in physician assistant this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $63,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #9 for value in physician assistant 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $116,929. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #10 for value in physician assistant this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $122,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny York College placed #11 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #12 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, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $31,016. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $64,434. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #13 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,582. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $89,402. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University earned the #14 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,926 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $48,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Florida International University came in at #16 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. 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.
Wayne State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. 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. 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 $110,923. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,985 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $108,648. That is a strong return on a $20,985 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $105,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Mercy College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $135,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #21 for value in physician assistant this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $17,885. Physician Assistant graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $115,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,885 median debt.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio earned the #22 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a mid-sized public institution. 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.
Idaho State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $29,173. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $115,568. Set against $29,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kean University earned the #24 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #25 position for value in physician assistant this year. 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. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physician assistant this year:
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 · 270 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 270 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).
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
