2027 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Southwest 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 11 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 Southwest 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
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #1 spot for value among physician assistant schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $116,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $105,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #3 place for physician assistant. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $22,294. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $84,163 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $21,861. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Hardin Simmons University earned the #6 position for value in physician assistant this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,960. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,674. Physician Assistant graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $113,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Oklahoma City University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,754. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,248. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $112,512. That is a strong return on a $27,248 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
South University Austin earned the #8 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Round Rock, South University Austin is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,895. Students borrow a median of $48,472 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of South University Austin earn a median of $107,029 early in their careers. Set against $48,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor placed #9 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,782. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $54,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Baylor University landed the #10 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $23,928. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $49,888. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
West Coast University Los Angeles ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value physician assistant schools. West Coast University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,854. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $37,140. Physician Assistant graduates of West Coast University Los Angeles earn a median of $92,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
