College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region

48 Colleges in the United States
1,848 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded
$86,570 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physician Assistant degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools to find the best for physician assistant students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Physician Assistant in the Great Lakes Region

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.

Top Schools in Physician Assistant

1

No school ranked higher than Case Western Reserve University this year for physician assistant. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $25,106. Get the full physician assistant details for Case Western Reserve University

2

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Northwestern University

3
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Michigan State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $27,422 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Michigan State University

4
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. North Central College graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for North Central College

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 61 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $108,627. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

Lawrence Technological University placed #6 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Lawrence Technological University awarded about 29 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Lawrence Technological University

7

Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #7 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Midwestern University Downers Grove awarded about 83 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Midwestern University Downers Grove generally make around $123,370. See the full physician assistant program report for Midwestern University Downers Grove

8
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #8 for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $109,279 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Marquette University

9
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University landed the #9 spot for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 63 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $111,506. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Butler University

10
Trine University crest
Trine University
Angola, IN

Trine University came in at #10 for physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 35 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Trine University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Trine University earn a median of $54,881 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,765. Get the full physician assistant details for Trine University

11

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #11 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 43 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $85,744. Typical student debt for the program is $24,150. Read more about the physician assistant program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

12

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #12 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 77 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $88,835 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,985 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

13

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 26 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $88,942 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

14

Grand Valley State University earned the #14 position for physician assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 48 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $85,201 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the physician assistant program at Grand Valley State University

15

University Of Dayton ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $112,830 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Dayton

16

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #16 spot for physician assistant this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates 67% of students within six years. About 58 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $111,218 in their early career. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for University Of Detroit Mercy

17
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University earned the #17 position for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 32 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Rush University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $97,356 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,578. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Rush University

18

Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science placed #18 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of North Chicago, Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science awarded about 67 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science earn around $107,599 in the first couple years of their career. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science

19

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earned the #19 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates 42% of students within six years. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois awarded about 33 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of $101,006 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

20

Wayne State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Wayne State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Wayne State University earn around $87,447 in the first couple years of their career. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Wayne State University

21

Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #21 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $88,329. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates carry a median of $26,497 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for Concordia University Wisconsin

22
Franklin College crest
Franklin College
Franklin, IN

Franklin College placed #22 among the best physician assistant schools. Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Franklin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Franklin College earn around $41,389 in the first couple years of their career. Franklin College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Franklin College

23
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Ashland University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Ashland University earn around $48,852 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,536 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for Ashland University

24

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #24 for physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 31 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $71,830. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for Ohio University Main Campus

25

Cleveland State University earned the #25 position for physician assistant this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Cleveland State University graduates 51% of students within six years. About 16 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Cleveland State University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $26,845 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,357. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Cleveland State University

Rest of the Top 48 Physician Assistant Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physician assistant education:

26
27
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
28
29
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
30
31
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
32
33
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN
34
35
36
Kettering College crest
Kettering College
Kettering, OH
36
38
39
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH
40
41
42
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
43
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
44
45
46
Lake Erie College crest
Lake Erie College
Painesville, OH
47
48
Ursuline College crest
Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

Narrow Physician Assistant Schools by State

View All Physician Assistant Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 48 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options