2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physician assistant students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Physician Assistant in Pennsylvania
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
No school ranked higher than Pennsylvania State University Main Campus this year for physician assistant. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 31 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full physician assistant program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Thomas Jefferson University, which ranked #2. 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%. There were roughly 121 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Thomas Jefferson University earn around $102,913 in the first couple years of their career. Thomas Jefferson University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Thomas Jefferson University
A rank of #3 makes Drexel University one of the top schools for physician assistant. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 69 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.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Drexel University
Saint Josephs University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #4. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Josephs University awarded about 35 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $111,201 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,426.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Saint Josephs University
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. About 53 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine came in at #6 for physician assistant this year. 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.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 63 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $66,924. Students borrow a median of $23,556 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Duquesne University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 77% of students finish within six years. Duquesne University awarded about 68 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $104,782 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full physician assistant program report for Duquesne University
Arcadia University earned the #9 position for physician assistant this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. Arcadia University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 75 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Arcadia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $115,462. Typical student debt for the program is $26,921.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Arcadia University
Desales University placed #10 among the best physician assistant schools. Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Center Valley. Desales University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 74 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Desales University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Desales University earn around $120,240 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,524 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Desales University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 25 physician assistant degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Temple University came in at #12 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Temple University earn around $65,341 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
See the full physician assistant program report for Temple University
Kings College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Kings College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $120,179 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Kings College
Chatham University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Chatham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Chatham University earn around $111,726 in the first couple years of their career. Chatham University graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Chatham University
Gannon University landed the #15 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Gannon University awarded about 83 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $101,913 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,934.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Gannon University
Thiel College earned the #16 position for physician assistant this year. Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Thiel College graduates 48% of students within six years. About 37 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Thiel College in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Thiel College earn a median of $36,966 early in their careers. Thiel College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for Thiel College
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best physician assistant schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $70,434. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Misericordia University came in at #18 for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 14 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Misericordia University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Misericordia University earn a median of $65,521 early in their careers. Misericordia University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full physician assistant program report for Misericordia University
Marywood University landed the #19 spot for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 50 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Marywood University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $114,737. Typical student debt for the program is $27,744.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Marywood University
Seton Hill University placed #20 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 45 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Seton Hill University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $101,656 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Seton Hill University
Saint Francis University came in at #21 for physician assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 82 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Saint Francis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $102,557 in their early career. Saint Francis University graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Saint Francis University
Mercyhurst College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Mercyhurst College graduates 64% of students within six years. About 27 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Mercyhurst College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $101,125 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,705 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Mercyhurst College
Salus University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Elkins Park, Salus University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 49 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Salus University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Salus University earn around $89,103 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Salus University
More Physician Assistant Rankings
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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 · 28 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.