2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physician assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physician assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among physician assistant schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $24,150. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $85,744. That is a strong return on a $24,150 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $87,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $64,434. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $88,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #5 place for physician assistant. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $64,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Kettering College placed #6 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Kettering, Kettering College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,320. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $28,184. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Kettering College generally make around $78,184. Set against $28,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Cleveland State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $24,357 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $26,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Dominican University came in at #8 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,236. Physician Assistant graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $112,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #9 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $69,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #10 position for value in physician assistant this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,985 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $88,835. Set against $20,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #11 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $29,053. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $111,218. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Mercy College Of Ohio came in at #12 for value in physician assistant this year. Mercy College Of Ohio is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,345. Students borrow a median of $20,958 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $47,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College Of Ohio admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #13 spot for physician assistant value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $108,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of St Francis earned the #14 position for value in physician assistant this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $81,259. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $85,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph came in at #16 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Students borrow a median of $28,273 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $97,906. Set against $28,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo came in at #17 for value in physician assistant this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $88,451. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #18 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $28,781. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $104,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Marietta College came in at #19 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,652. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $111,759. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Western Michigan University earned the #20 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $102,089 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Evansville ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $107,819 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Evansville admits about 78% of applicants.
Ohio Dominican University came in at #22 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,720 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $28,166 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Ohio Dominican University earn a median of $107,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Dominican University admits about 94% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $71,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earned the #24 position for value in physician assistant this year. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn a median of $87,705 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ashland University landed the #25 spot for physician assistant value this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $24,536. Physician Assistant graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $48,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physician assistant this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
