by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for physician assistant students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physician assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for physician assistant. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $70,434. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at Saint Francis University, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,388. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $102,557 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marywood University earned it the #4 place for physician assistant. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $27,744. Physician Assistant graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $114,737 early in their careers. Set against $27,744 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for physician assistant. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
Carlow University came in at #6 for value in physician assistant this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $36,875 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $66,938. Set against $36,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hill University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $101,656. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Thiel College landed the #8 spot for physician assistant value this year. Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,344. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Thiel College earn a median of $36,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Gannon University landed the #9 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,934. Physician Assistant graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $101,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Kings College placed #10 among the best values for physician assistant. Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,100. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Kings College earn a median of $120,179 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Misericordia University came in at #11 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,370. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Misericordia University generally make around $65,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Misericordia University admits about 71% of applicants.
Arcadia University landed the #12 spot for physician assistant value this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,921. Physician Assistant graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $115,462 early in their careers. Set against $26,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Chatham University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,001 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $111,726. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $102,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College placed #15 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Students borrow a median of $25,705 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $101,125. Set against $25,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Alvernia University landed the #16 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $31,900. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $53,960. Set against $31,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alvernia University admits about 58% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #17 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $65,341. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #18 position for value in physician assistant this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,556 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $66,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Desales University came in at #19 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,800. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,524 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $120,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #20 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University landed the #21 spot for physician assistant value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $104,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Josephs University came in at #22 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $111,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University came in at #23 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $121,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.