by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for physician assistant students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physician assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Christian Brothers University the best value for a degree in physician assistant in Tennessee. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $32,416. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Bethel University Tennessee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $28,583. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $109,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for physician assistant. 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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Trevecca Nazarene University one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $110,360 early in their careers. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes South College one of 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $66,010. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $123,546. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Milligan College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $107,166. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Lipscomb University landed the #8 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.