2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in Texas
[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 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physician assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in Texas
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. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $116,929. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Hardin Simmons University one of the best values for physician assistant. Set in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,674. Early-career physician assistant graduates make about $113,805. Set against $26,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes West Coast University Dallas one of the best values for physician assistant. West Coast University Dallas is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from West Coast University Dallas generally make around $85,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Students borrow a median of $26,782 to complete the physician assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor generally make around $54,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor admits about 96% of applicants.
Baylor University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $23,928. 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. Baylor University admits about 51% 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
