2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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 10 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 the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physician assistant education in the Rocky Mountains Region.
Top Schools in Physician Assistant
University Of Utah is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physician assistant. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $115,329 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,496.
Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of Utah
Rocky Vista University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Parker. There were roughly 33 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Rocky Vista University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Rocky Vista University earn around $63,332 in the first couple years of their career.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Rocky Vista University
Red Rocks Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Lakewood. Red Rocks Community College awarded about 31 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $93,958 early in their careers. Red Rocks Community College graduates carry a median of $17,885 in student loans.
See the full physician assistant program report for Red Rocks Community College
Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at University Of Colorado Denver, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Denver awarded about 43 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $89,402. Typical student debt for the program is $26,582.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Colorado Denver
Rocky Mountain College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #5. Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Billings. Rocky Mountain College graduates 48% of students within six years. Rocky Mountain College awarded about 54 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Rocky Mountain College earn a median of $127,725 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,666 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for Rocky Mountain College
Utah Valley University earned the #6 position for physician assistant this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,478.
Get the full physician assistant details for Utah Valley University
Mesa State College came in at #7 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Mesa State College awarded about 27 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $54,004 early in their careers. Mesa State College graduates carry a median of $19,488 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Mesa State College
Idaho State University came in at #8 for physician assistant this year. This large public university is located in the city of Pocatello. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. About 70 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Idaho State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Idaho State University earn around $77,877 in the first couple years of their career. Idaho State University graduates carry a median of $29,173 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Idaho State University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 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.
