2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physician assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in the Southwest 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 The University Of Texas Pan American this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $14,694. Physician Assistant graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $116,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern Arizona University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $105,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Northeastern State University one of the best values for physician assistant. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $49,353. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $21,861. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of New Mexico Main Campus one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $22,294 to complete the physician assistant program here. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $84,163. Set against $22,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Hardin Simmons University came in at #6 for value in physician assistant this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,960. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,674 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $113,805. Set against $26,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Oklahoma City University landed the #7 spot for physician assistant value this year. Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $34,754 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $27,248 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $112,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma City University admits about 77% of applicants.
West Coast University Dallas earned the #8 position for value in physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Richardson, West Coast University Dallas is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $85,998. That is a strong return on a $38,145 median debt.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,782 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $54,062 early in their careers. Set against $26,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University placed #10 among the best values for physician assistant. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
