Physician Assistant programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physician assistant programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 289 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physician assistant students pursuing a degree.
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in physician assistant. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 26 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $100,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
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Duke University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $115,890 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
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University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 63 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent 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. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 156 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $128,410 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $31,625 in student loans.
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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. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $141,691. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree.
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Tufts University earned the #6 position for physician assistant this year. 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. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Tufts University earn around $125,250 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
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Yale University came in at #7 for physician assistant this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 115 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Yale University earn a median of $124,979 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for physician assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 31 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year.
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Medical University Of South Carolina came in at #9 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. About 96 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.
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Weill Cornell Medical College placed #10 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of New York, Weill Cornell Medical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 45 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Weill Cornell Medical College in the most recent year.
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The University Of Texas Medical Branch ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. 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. Physician Assistant graduates of The University Of Texas Medical Branch earn a median of $112,893 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
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University Of Maryland Baltimore landed the #12 spot for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Maryland Baltimore awarded about 50 physician assistant degrees 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.
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Stony Brook University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 66 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $122,527 early in their careers. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,538 in student loans.
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Emory University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Emory University earn a median of $115,202 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree.
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George Washington University came in at #15 for physician assistant this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 64 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from George Washington University earn around $115,278 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans.
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Case Western Reserve University placed #16 among the best physician assistant schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 29 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $122,004. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete this degree.
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Samuel Merritt University came in at #17 for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Northwestern University came in at #18 for physician assistant 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. There were roughly 35 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $107,097 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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Chapman University earned the #19 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 46 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $124,016 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans.
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University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 73 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in the most recent data 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.
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Thomas Jefferson University ranked #21 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. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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 $122,907 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Florida earned the #22 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 59 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $107,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
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Oregon Health And Science University earned the #23 position for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Portland. Oregon Health And Science University awarded about 30 physician assistant degrees 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.
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Mayo Medical School placed #24 among the best physician assistant schools. Mayo Medical School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. There were roughly 21 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Mayo Medical School in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Mayo Medical School earn a median of $72,446 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,241.
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Baylor University placed #25 among the best physician assistant schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Baylor University awarded about 19 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $49,888 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete this degree.
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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), 2026 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 · 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).