2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in physician assistant, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $107,126. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #2 place for physician assistant. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $31,625 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $131,897. Set against $31,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

4

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

A rank of #4 makes The Community College Of Baltimore County one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $69,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $68,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

6

Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College came in at #6 for value in physician assistant this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $12,643. Physician Assistant graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.

7

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $25,496 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $115,329. That is a strong return on a $25,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #8 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $24,150 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $85,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

9

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College earned the #9 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $17,885. Physician Assistant graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $93,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #10 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $105,700 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $21,829. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $63,300. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

12

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College came in at #12 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $12,573. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $138,173. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

13

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

14

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #14 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $14,694. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $116,929. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

15

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $13,389. Physician Assistant graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $122,866 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

16

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #16 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $22,789 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $59,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

17

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay placed #17 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

18

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #18 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $99,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

19

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #19 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

20

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University placed #20 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,500. Physician Assistant graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

21

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University placed #21 among the best values for physician assistant. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $105,814. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

22

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #22 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

23

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $64,434 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

24

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #24 for value in physician assistant this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University came in at #25 for value in physician assistant this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,000. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $87,447. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.