2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physician assistant schools.
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2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for physician assistant in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Red Rocks Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #3 place for physician assistant. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Mesa State College one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $19,488 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $54,004. Set against $19,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Idaho State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $29,173. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $77,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rocky Mountain College came in at #6 for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,582. Students borrow a median of $25,666 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Rocky Mountain College earn a median of $127,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #7 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $89,402. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
