2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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.
College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physician assistant schools.
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Best Schools for Physician Assistant in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physician assistant education in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Top Schools in Physician Assistant
Our analysis ranked Pennsylvania State University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in physician assistant. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Weill Cornell Medical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of New York, Weill Cornell Medical College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 45 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Weill Cornell Medical College in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Weill Cornell Medical College
Stony Brook University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $107,346 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,538.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Stony Brook University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland Baltimore one of the top schools for physician assistant. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Maryland Baltimore awarded about 50 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore generally make around $117,925. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Maryland Baltimore
A rank of #5 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for physician assistant. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 64 physician assistant degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $115,278. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
Read more about the physician assistant program at George Washington University
Thomas Jefferson University earned the #6 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 121 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent 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.
See the full physician assistant program report for Thomas Jefferson University
Drexel University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of 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. Drexel University awarded about 69 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $121,966. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Drexel University
Marist College came in at #8 for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 52 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $126,503. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Marist College
Pace University New York earned the #9 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 113 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $139,278 in their early career. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans.
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Touro College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 188 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Touro College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $101,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,053.
See the full physician assistant program report for Touro College
Saint Josephs University placed #11 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $111,201 in their early career. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans.
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Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for physician assistant this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
See the full physician assistant program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Suny Downstate Medical Center came in at #13 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a mid-sized public institution. Suny Downstate Medical Center awarded about 30 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Suny Downstate Medical Center earn a median of $119,581 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,740.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #14 position for physician assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 46 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $97,555. Typical student debt for the program is $30,875.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Rutgers University New Brunswick
St Johns University New York placed #15 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 66 physician assistant degrees were awarded at St Johns University New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from St Johns University New York earn around $100,883 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from St Johns University New York
Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine placed #16 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 78 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine earn around $120,341 in the first couple years of their career.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #17 among the best physician assistant schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 63 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $66,924 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $23,556 in student loans.
See the full physician assistant program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Hofstra University earned the #18 position for physician assistant this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. Hofstra University graduates 68% of students within six years. Hofstra University awarded about 115 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $88,893. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Hofstra University
Towson University landed the #19 spot for physician assistant this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Towson University earn a median of $118,584 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,717.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Towson University
Duquesne University came in at #20 for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duquesne University awarded about 68 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $104,782 in their early career. Duquesne University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Duquesne University
Arcadia University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Arcadia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $115,462 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,921.
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New York Institute Of Technology placed #22 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at New York Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from New York Institute Of Technology generally make around $133,479. Typical student debt for the program is $25,435.
See the full physician assistant program report for New York Institute Of Technology
Desales University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 74 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Desales University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $120,240 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,524.
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The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #24 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 29 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at The Community College Of Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $69,015 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,200 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from The Community College Of Baltimore County
Seton Hall University came in at #25 for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 56 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Seton Hall University earn around $108,691 in the first couple years of their career. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Seton Hall University
Rest of the Top 50 Physician Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physician assistant education:
Narrow Physician Assistant Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 68 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.