2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 59 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 Middle Atlantic 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 Cuny City College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $122,866. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Mercy College one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $28,304. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $135,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny York College earned it the #3 place for physician assistant. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $138,173. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for physician assistant. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $20,538. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $107,346. That is a strong return on a $20,538 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Anne Arundel Community College one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University came in at #6 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $23,717. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $118,584. That is a strong return on a $23,717 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University landed the #8 spot for physician assistant value this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $42,798. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,516 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $74,757. Set against $27,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Canisius College placed #10 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $42,672. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Canisius College admits about 72% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $70,434. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore placed #12 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,076, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Students borrow a median of $26,996 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of $39,742 early in their careers. Set against $26,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Daemen College landed the #13 spot for physician assistant value this year. Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $99,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,358 median debt. Daemen College admits about 68% of applicants.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent placed #14 among the best values for physician assistant. College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $44,540 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from College Of Mount Saint Vincent generally make around $58,239. Set against $26,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Mount Saint Vincent admits about 85% of applicants.
Dyouville College came in at #15 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,940. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $42,500 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $104,331. That is a strong return on a $42,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Mercyhurst College placed #16 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $101,125 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,705 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
New York Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from New York Institute Of Technology generally make around $133,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Le Moyne College came in at #18 for value in physician assistant this year. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $40,330 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,739. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Le Moyne College generally make around $126,262. That is a strong return on a $25,739 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Carlow University landed the #19 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Students borrow a median of $36,875 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $100,671. Set against $36,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
Seton Hill University earned the #20 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $101,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Thiel College came in at #21 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the town of Greenville, Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,344 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Thiel College generally make around $36,966. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Gannon University earned the #22 position for value in physician assistant this year. Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $101,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Kings College earned the #23 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Kings College earn a median of $120,179 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kings College admits about 93% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,468 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $53,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,701 median debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
College Of Saint Elizabeth landed the #25 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,740. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,496. Physician Assistant graduates of College Of Saint Elizabeth earn a median of $58,318 early in their careers. Set against $25,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Saint Elizabeth admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physician assistant:
Narrow Physician Assistant Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
