Physician Assistant is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 273 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physician assistant schools.
Where you study physician assistant matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Physician Assistant Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Physician Assistant School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Physician Assistant Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Physician Assistant in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physician assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physician assistant. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 28 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
See the full physician assistant program report for Stanford University
Duke University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 176 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Duke University earn around $118,707 in the first couple years of their career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Duke University
Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Yale University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 99 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Yale University earn around $124,979 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Yale University
Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Tufts University, which ranked #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 48 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $125,250. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
Get the full physician assistant details for Tufts University
A rank of #5 makes Medical University Of South Carolina one of the top schools for physician assistant. Set in the city of Charleston, Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. About 87 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Medical University Of South Carolina in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Medical University Of South Carolina earn around $131,895 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,043.
Get the full physician assistant details for Medical University Of South Carolina
University Of The Pacific earned the #6 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 44 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of The Pacific earn around $141,691 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,514.
See the full physician assistant program report for University Of The Pacific
Weill Cornell Medical College landed the #7 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of New York, Weill Cornell Medical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Weill Cornell Medical College awarded about 52 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Weill Cornell Medical College
University Of Southern California came in at #8 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 53 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of Southern California earn around $129,633 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of Southern California
University Of Maryland Baltimore landed the #9 spot for physician assistant this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. There were roughly 103 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $117,925 in their early career. University Of Maryland Baltimore graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for University Of Maryland Baltimore
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #10 among the best physician assistant schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 152 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $131,897 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,625 to complete this degree.
Get the full physician assistant details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Stony Brook University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Stony Brook University awarded about 68 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Stony Brook University earn around $107,346 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,538 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Stony Brook University
Case Western Reserve University landed the #12 spot for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $122,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Case Western Reserve University
Emory University landed the #13 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 51 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Emory University earn a median of $115,202 early in their careers. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for Emory University
George Washington University placed #14 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $115,278 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
Get the full physician assistant details for George Washington University
The University Of Texas Medical Branch came in at #15 for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. About 81 physician assistant degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from The University Of Texas Medical Branch earn around $92,841 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from The University Of Texas Medical Branch
Samuel Merritt University earned the #16 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 45 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Samuel Merritt University earn a median of $136,933 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Samuel Merritt University
Northwestern University landed the #17 spot for physician assistant this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $107,097. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Get the full physician assistant details for Northwestern University
Drexel University placed #18 among the best physician assistant schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. About 121 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $121,966 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,838.
See the full physician assistant program report for Drexel University
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio earned the #19 position for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of San Antonio. There were roughly 50 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio earn a median of $85,257 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,627 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio
Thomas Jefferson University placed #20 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 118 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $102,913. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Thomas Jefferson University
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center earned the #21 position for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center awarded about 68 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center earn around $67,979 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,062.
See the full physician assistant program report for University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oregon Health And Science University placed #22 among the best physician assistant schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Portland. There were roughly 32 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Oregon Health And Science University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $126,202 in their early career. Oregon Health And Science University graduates carry a median of $32,059 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Oregon Health And Science University
Mayo Medical School earned the #23 position for physician assistant this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rochester. Mayo Medical School awarded about 24 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Mayo Medical School earn a median of $72,446 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,241 to complete this degree.
Get the full physician assistant details for Mayo Medical School
Michigan State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 32 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $54,166 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,422 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Michigan State University
Marist College earned the #25 position for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. Marist College awarded about 56 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $126,503 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,962.
See the full physician assistant program report for Marist College
Rest of the Top 50 Physician Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physician assistant education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 273 schools evaluated.
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).
