2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region
[Physician Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/physician-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physician assistant education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools to find the best return on investment for physician assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physician assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
For return on investment in physician assistant, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. 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%.
Florida State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $68,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physician assistant will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $63,300. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #4 place for physician assistant. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $22,789 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $59,017. That is a strong return on a $22,789 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #5 place for physician assistant. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $105,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for physician assistant. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $99,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
West Virginia University landed the #7 spot for physician assistant value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #8 position for value in physician assistant this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $113,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Mississippi State University earned the #9 position for value in physician assistant this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $47,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Augusta University earned the #10 position for value in physician assistant this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,500. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $83,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #11 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $90,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University landed the #12 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama came in at #13 for value in physician assistant this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $29,192. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $88,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #14 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $110,360. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #15 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $107,773. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $83,490. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kentucky placed #17 among the best values for physician assistant. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $99,948. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #18 position for value in physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $105,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
South College came in at #19 for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,535. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from South College generally make around $66,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Liberty University earned the #20 position for value in physician assistant this year. West Liberty University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of West Liberty. In-state tuition and fees average $8,893, compared with $17,442 for out-of-state students. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,144 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $95,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #21 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $23,013. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University landed the #22 spot for physician assistant value this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $20,693. Physician Assistant graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $123,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Lynchburg College landed the #23 spot for physician assistant value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,750. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $138,322. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.
Xavier University Of Louisiana ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Xavier University Of Louisiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,979. Students borrow a median of $26,777 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Xavier University Of Louisiana generally make around $46,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Xavier University Of Louisiana admits about 69% of applicants.
Our Lady Of The Lake College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Our Lady Of The Lake College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,959 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $19,875. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake College generally make around $80,813. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. Our Lady Of The Lake College admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physician assistant:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
