Physician Assistant programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 289 schools to find the best for physician assistant students.
The physician assistant program you select can have a big impact on 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. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on 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.
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for physician assistant. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 26 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for Stanford University
Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $118,707. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Duke University
Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 63 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $129,633 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Get the full physician assistant details for University Of Southern California
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 156 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $131,897 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $31,625 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of The Pacific is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #5. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $141,691. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of The Pacific
Tufts University earned the #6 position for physician assistant this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $125,250 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
Get the full physician assistant details for Tufts University
Yale University earned the #7 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 115 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Yale University earn a median of $124,979 early in their careers. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for Yale University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for physician assistant this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 31 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full physician assistant details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Medical University Of South Carolina ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. About 96 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Medical University Of South Carolina in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $131,895 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,043.
See the full physician assistant program report for Medical University Of South Carolina
Weill Cornell Medical College earned the #10 position for physician assistant this year. Weill Cornell Medical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Weill Cornell Medical College awarded about 45 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Weill Cornell Medical College
Stony Brook University landed the #11 spot for physician assistant this year. 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 66 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. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,538 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for Stony Brook University
The University Of Texas Medical Branch landed the #12 spot for physician assistant this year. The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. There were roughly 88 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from The University Of Texas Medical Branch generally make around $92,841. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
See the full physician assistant program report for The University Of Texas Medical Branch
University Of Maryland Baltimore placed #13 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public institution. About 50 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore earn a median of $117,925 early in their careers. University Of Maryland Baltimore graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Maryland Baltimore
Emory University came in at #14 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $115,202 in their early career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Emory University
George Washington University landed the #15 spot for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 64 physician assistant degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from George Washington University earn around $115,278 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physician assistant program at George Washington University
Case Western Reserve University earned the #16 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 29 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $122,004. Typical student debt for the program is $25,106.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Case Western Reserve University
Samuel Merritt University came in at #17 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 41 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $136,933 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full physician assistant details for Samuel Merritt University
Northwestern University earned the #18 position 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. Northwestern University awarded about 35 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $107,097. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for Northwestern University
Mayo Medical School placed #19 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Rochester, Mayo Medical School is a small private not-for-profit university. Mayo Medical School awarded about 21 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $72,446 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,241 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Mayo Medical School
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a mid-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. About 48 physician assistant degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio earn around $85,257 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $16,627 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio
Chapman University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 46 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $124,016. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree.
Get the full physician assistant details for Chapman University
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 121 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Thomas Jefferson University earn around $102,913 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for Thomas Jefferson University
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. About 73 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center generally make around $67,979. Students borrow a median of $22,062 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
University Of Nebraska Medical Center ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a mid-sized public university. About 62 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Medical Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Medical Center generally make around $93,035. Students borrow a median of $12,715 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for University Of Nebraska Medical Center
Oregon Health And Science University landed the #25 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Portland, Oregon Health And Science University is a mid-sized public university. Oregon Health And Science University awarded about 30 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Oregon Health And Science University earn around $126,202 in the first couple years of their career. Oregon Health And Science University graduates carry a median of $32,059 in student loans.
See the full physician assistant program report for Oregon Health And Science University
Rest of the Top 50 Physician Assistant Schools
These schools also placed among the best for physician assistant this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 289 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).
