2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physician assistant schools.
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2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among physician assistant schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at Red Rocks Community College, which ranked #2. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Students borrow a median of $17,885 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $93,958. Set against $17,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $17,926. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $54,387. Set against $17,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,582. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $89,402 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Idaho State University one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,173 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $77,877. Set against $29,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College landed the #6 spot for physician assistant value this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $54,004. Set against $19,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,496. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $115,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,496 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rocky Mountain College earned the #8 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,582 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,666. Physician Assistant graduates of Rocky Mountain College earn a median of $127,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 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.
