2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in Minnesota

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physician assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Physician Assistant Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physician assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physician Assistant Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Marys University Of Minnesota the best value for a degree in physician assistant in Minnesota. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
St Catherine University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Students borrow a median of $31,250 to complete the physician assistant program here. Physician Assistant graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $82,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Augsburg College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Physician Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans. Physician Assistant graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $126,128 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,319 median debt. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.
The College Of Saint Scholastica is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $26,755. Physician Assistant graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $88,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physician assistant graduates is $25,639. Physician Assistant graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $109,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 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.