2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region
Physician Assistant is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physician assistant schools.
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Best Schools for Physician Assistant in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physician assistant education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Physician Assistant
Our analysis ranked Mayo Medical School the best school in the country for a degree in physician assistant. Located in the city of Rochester, Mayo Medical School is a small private not-for-profit university. About 21 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Mayo Medical School in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Mayo Medical School generally make around $72,446. Students borrow a median of $25,241 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska Medical Center one of the top schools for physician assistant. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a mid-sized public university. University Of Nebraska Medical Center awarded about 62 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Medical Center generally make around $93,035. Typical student debt for the program is $12,715.
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Creighton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 32 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $64,369 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 14 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $69,785 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete this degree.
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University Of Iowa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 50 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $96,948 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
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Northwestern College Iowa landed the #6 spot for physician assistant this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 29 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,415.
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University Of North Dakota earned the #7 position for physician assistant this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. University Of North Dakota awarded about 31 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $120,179 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110.
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Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $83,825 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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A T Still University Of Health Sciences ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. A T Still University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Kirksville. There were roughly 236 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at A T Still University Of Health Sciences in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from A T Still University Of Health Sciences earn around $90,222 in the first couple years of their career.
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Saint Ambrose University landed the #10 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Saint Ambrose University awarded about 31 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $117,805. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete this degree.
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University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #11 for physician assistant this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741.
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St Catherine University placed #12 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. St Catherine University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 31 physician assistant degrees were awarded at St Catherine University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $82,926 early in their careers. St Catherine University graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans.
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Augsburg College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Augsburg College in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $126,128 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,319 to complete this degree.
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Wichita State University earned the #14 position for physician assistant this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wichita State University awarded about 49 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $116,584. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete this degree.
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Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center came in at #15 for physician assistant this year. Located in the rural area of West Des Moines, Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center is a small private not-for-profit university. About 47 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $108,630 in their early career.
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University Of South Dakota ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This large public university is located in the town of Vermillion. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $120,429 early in their careers. University Of South Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans.
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Kansas State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 35 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,546.
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Missouri State University Springfield earned the #18 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 31 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $99,606. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for Missouri State University Springfield
University Of Dubuque placed #19 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dubuque in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $120,504 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,204 to complete this degree.
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The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #20 among the best physician assistant schools. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. About 70% of students finish within six years. The College Of Saint Scholastica awarded about 28 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from The College Of Saint Scholastica earn around $88,873 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,755 to complete this degree.
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Bethel University Minnesota placed #21 among the best physician assistant schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. About 71% of students finish within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 32 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $109,260 in their early career. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans.
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Union College Nebraska came in at #22 for physician assistant this year. Union College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Union College Nebraska in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Union College Nebraska generally make around $107,719. Typical student debt for the program is $30,938.
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College Of Saint Mary ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. College Of Saint Mary awarded about 26 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $111,538 early in their careers. College Of Saint Mary graduates carry a median of $25,539 in student loans.
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Stephens College came in at #24 for physician assistant this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Stephens College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $115,261 in their early career. Stephens College graduates carry a median of $33,326 in student loans.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 25 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.