2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in Tennessee
Physician Assistant programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools to find the best for physician assistant students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Physician Assistant in Tennessee
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
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center, our #1 school for physician assistant. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. About 26 physician assistant degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center earn around $111,698 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center graduates carry a median of $25,679 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 191 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Lincoln Memorial University earn around $123,546 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,693.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Lincoln Memorial University
A rank of #3 makes Lipscomb University one of the top schools for physician assistant. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
See the full physician assistant program report for Lipscomb University
Milligan College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 27 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Milligan College in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $107,166 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,150.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Milligan College
South College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #5. South College is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. South College graduates 53% of students within six years. About 213 physician assistant degrees were awarded at South College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from South College generally make around $66,010. South College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from South College
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 51 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Trevecca Nazarene University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $110,360 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,962.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Trevecca Nazarene University
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #7 position for physician assistant this year. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Bethel University Tennessee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $109,728. Bethel University Tennessee graduates carry a median of $28,583 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Bethel University Tennessee
Christian Brothers University placed #8 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Christian Brothers University awarded about 64 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Christian Brothers University earn around $51,040 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,416.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Christian Brothers University
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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 · 8 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.
