2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for physician assistant students.
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2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physician assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
For return on investment in physician assistant, no school beat Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,516. Physician Assistant graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $74,757 early in their careers. Set against $27,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for physician assistant. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Mercyhurst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $101,125. That is a strong return on a $25,705 median debt. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.
Carlow University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $36,875 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $100,671. That is a strong return on a $36,875 median debt. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
Seton Hill University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $101,656. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Thiel College earned the #6 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Greenville, Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,344 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Physician Assistant graduates of Thiel College earn a median of $36,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kings College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $120,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Gannon University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $101,913. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Marywood University came in at #10 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,744. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $114,737. That is a strong return on a $27,744 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University came in at #11 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Saint Francis University generally make around $102,557. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
Elizabethtown College came in at #12 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,599 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $57,397. Set against $26,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Alvernia University placed #13 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,000. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $53,960. That is a strong return on a $31,900 median debt. Alvernia University admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology earned the #14 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,010 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $52,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple University landed the #15 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $65,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $102,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Delaware Valley College earned the #17 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,850. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,278. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $40,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Arcadia University landed the #18 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $115,462 early in their careers. Set against $26,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $111,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Chatham University placed #20 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,001. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Chatham University generally make around $111,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,556 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $66,924 early in their careers. Set against $23,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Desales University landed the #22 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,524. Physician Assistant graduates of Desales University earn a median of $120,240 early in their careers. Set against $27,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in physician assistant this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $88,396 early in their careers. Set against $12,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Misericordia University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,370 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Misericordia University generally make around $65,521. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Duquesne University landed the #25 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $104,782. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 26 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. 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
