2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in North Carolina
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physician assistant education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physician assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physician assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $105,700. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #2 makes East Carolina University one of the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $107,773. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wingate University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,576. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $112,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pfeiffer University earned it the #5 place for physician assistant. Located in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,070 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Pfeiffer University earn a median of $54,891 early in their careers. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Campbell University earned the #6 position for value in physician assistant this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $116,635. That is a strong return on a $23,641 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University placed #7 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $110,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Methodist University landed the #8 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,250. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,604. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $113,608. That is a strong return on a $27,604 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Wake Forest University earned the #9 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $106,711. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Duke University placed #10 among the best values for physician assistant. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $118,707. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University came in at #11 for value in physician assistant this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,958. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $21,619. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $105,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 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.
