2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 289 schools to find the best return on investment for physician assistant students.
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Finding the Best Value Physician Assistant School for You
Where you study physician assistant affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Physician Assistant Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physician Assistant Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physician assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
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%.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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%.
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.
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%.
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%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physician assistant this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 289 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 198 ranked schools only.
- 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.
