2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Southeast 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 64 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 Southeast Region
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 University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $107,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $20,750. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $68,066. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $15,117. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $105,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $63,300. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University came in at #5 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $22,789. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $59,017. Set against $22,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #6 position for value in physician assistant this year. 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $19,349. Physician Assistant graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $99,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University landed the #7 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $83,587. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $17,500. Physician Assistant graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $113,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University landed the #9 spot for physician assistant value this year. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Radford University placed #10 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,250. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $83,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Old Dominion University earned the #11 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Virginia University came in at #12 for value in physician assistant this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Tennessee landed the #13 spot for physician assistant value this year. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $109,728. Set against $28,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #14 spot for physician assistant value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $43,575. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Mississippi State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $47,383. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #16 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $90,820. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $107,773. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College came in at #18 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,187. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $29,562. Physician Assistant graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $105,021 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,562 median debt.
Xavier University Of Louisiana placed #19 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of New Orleans, Xavier University Of Louisiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,979 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,777 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Xavier University Of Louisiana generally make around $46,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #20 position for value in physician assistant this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $24,962. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $110,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
West Liberty University earned the #21 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,893, with out-of-state students paying around $17,442. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,144 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $95,302. That is a strong return on a $27,144 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of South Alabama ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $29,192. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $88,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #23 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $105,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kentucky placed #24 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $99,948. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
South College placed #25 among the best values for physician assistant. South College is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $18,535 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,000. Physician Assistant graduates of South College earn a median of $66,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physician assistant this year:
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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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.
