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2027 Best Physician Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania

26 Colleges in the United States
1,483 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded
$90,774 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physician assistant students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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

1
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

No school ranked higher than Drexel University this year for physician assistant. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drexel University awarded about 121 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Drexel University earn around $121,966 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,838. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Drexel University

2

Thomas Jefferson University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 118 physician assistant degrees 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. Get the full physician assistant details for Thomas Jefferson University

3

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #3. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 152 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $66,924 early in their careers. 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

4
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Saint Josephs University, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 32 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $111,201. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Saint Josephs University

5

Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine came in at #5 on our 2027 list of 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 79 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine generally make around $120,341. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

6
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University landed the #6 spot for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Arcadia University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 84 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. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at Arcadia University

7
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University placed #7 among the best physician assistant schools. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. About 73 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Duquesne University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $104,782. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the physician assistant program at Duquesne University

8
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA

Desales University came in at #8 for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Center Valley. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 73 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. Desales University graduates carry a median of $27,524 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Desales University

9
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College placed #9 among the best physician assistant schools. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Elizabethtown College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $57,397 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,599. See the full physician assistant program report for Elizabethtown College

10

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for physician assistant this year. 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 26 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $88,396 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

11
Kings College crest
Kings College
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Kings College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Kings College graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 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

12
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Temple University earn around $65,341 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Temple University

13

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for physician assistant this year. 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. There were roughly 26 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Get the full physician assistant details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

14
Delaware Valley College crest
Delaware Valley College
Doylestown, PA

Delaware Valley College earned the #14 position for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Doylestown. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Delaware Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Delaware Valley College generally make around $40,012. Students borrow a median of $26,278 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for Delaware Valley College

15

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Slippery Rock. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 48 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $70,434. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

16
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University earned the #16 position for physician assistant this year. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 50 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Marywood University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $114,737 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,744 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at Marywood University

17
Chatham University crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA

Chatham University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Chatham University graduates 63% of students within six years. Chatham University awarded about 55 physician assistant degrees 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. Get the full physician assistant details for Chatham University

18

Gannon University earned the #18 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Gannon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $101,913 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Gannon University

19

Misericordia University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Misericordia University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Misericordia University earn around $65,521 in the first couple years of their career. Misericordia University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Misericordia University

20

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #20 for physician assistant this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 56 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $74,757 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,516 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

21

Saint Francis University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. 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. About 94 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Saint Francis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $102,557 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Saint Francis University

22
Thiel College crest
Thiel College
Greenville, PA

Thiel College landed the #22 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the town of Greenville, Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Thiel College awarded about 30 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $36,966 in their early career. Thiel College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Thiel College

23
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University placed #23 among the best physician assistant schools. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Seton Hill University awarded about 44 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $101,656 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the physician assistant program at Seton Hill University

24
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University earned the #24 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carlow University awarded about 28 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Carlow University earn around $100,671 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,875. Get the full physician assistant details for Carlow University

25

Pennsylvania College Of Technology earned the #25 position for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Williamsport. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 12 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania College Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $52,133. Pennsylvania College Of Technology graduates carry a median of $28,010 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Pennsylvania College Of Technology

Rest of the Top 26 Physician Assistant Schools

These schools also placed among the best for physician assistant this year:

26

View All Physician Assistant Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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