by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physician assistant education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physician assistant schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physician assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in physician assistant in California. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Moreno Valley College one of the best values for physician assistant. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at California State University Monterey Bay, which ranked #3. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of The Pacific came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $141,691. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California Baptist University one of the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $28,169. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $95,454. That is a strong return on a $28,169 median debt. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
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Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science came in at #6 for value in physician assistant this year. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science generally make around $100,375. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Southern California placed #7 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $15,625. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $129,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Southern California University Of Health Sciences came in at #8 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Whittier, Southern California University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,390. Students borrow a median of $20,378 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Southern California University Of Health Sciences generally make around $122,512. That is a strong return on a $20,378 median debt.
Chapman University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $124,016. That is a strong return on a $21,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #10 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,362 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $29,523 early in their careers. Set against $26,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Loma Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
Dominican University Of California placed #11 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Dominican University Of California generally make around $144,840. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.