2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in physician assistant. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Stanford University

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 63 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $129,633 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Southern California

3

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 156 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $131,897 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $31,625 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

4

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #4. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $141,691. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for University Of The Pacific

5

Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Samuel Merritt University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Samuel Merritt University awarded about 41 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Samuel Merritt University earn around $136,933 in the first couple years of their career. Samuel Merritt University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for Samuel Merritt University

6

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 46 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Chapman University earn around $124,016 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at Chapman University

7

Oregon Health And Science University
Portland, OR

Oregon Health And Science University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Portland, Oregon Health And Science University is a mid-sized public university. Oregon Health And Science University awarded about 30 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Oregon Health And Science University generally make around $126,202. Students borrow a median of $32,059 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at Oregon Health And Science University

8

Touro University Nevada
Henderson, NV

Touro University Nevada landed the #8 spot for physician assistant this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Henderson. Touro University Nevada awarded about 80 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Touro University Nevada generally make around $131,671. Touro University Nevada graduates carry a median of $16,002 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Touro University Nevada

9

Touro University California
Vallejo, CA

Touro University California placed #9 among the best physician assistant schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Vallejo. Touro University California awarded about 48 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Touro University California earn around $131,671 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,002. See the full physician assistant program report for Touro University California

10

Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University earned the #10 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Loma Linda University awarded about 37 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Loma Linda University earn around $95,150 in the first couple years of their career. Loma Linda University graduates carry a median of $25,171 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for Loma Linda University

11

Western University Of Health Sciences
Pomona, CA

Western University Of Health Sciences placed #11 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, Western University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 90 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Western University Of Health Sciences in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $132,122 in their early career. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Western University Of Health Sciences

12

Pacific University
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University landed the #12 spot for physician assistant this year. Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Forest Grove. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Pacific University generally make around $117,165. Pacific University graduates carry a median of $26,170 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for Pacific University

13

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay placed #13 among the best physician assistant schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 27 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $14,622 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for California State University Monterey Bay

14

Dominican University Of California
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University Of California came in at #14 for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Dominican University Of California graduates 78% of students within six years. Dominican University Of California awarded about 35 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Dominican University Of California earn a median of $144,840 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Dominican University Of California

15

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #15 position for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 28 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $29,523 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,362 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Point Loma Nazarene University

16

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno landed the #16 spot for physician assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Reno. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Typical student debt for the program is $19,918. See the full physician assistant program report for University Of Nevada Reno

17

George Fox University
Newberg, OR

George Fox University landed the #17 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. George Fox University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 31 physician assistant degrees were awarded at George Fox University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $52,898 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for George Fox University

18

Southern California University Of Health Sciences
Whittier, CA

Southern California University Of Health Sciences landed the #18 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Whittier, Southern California University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Southern California University Of Health Sciences awarded about 48 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Southern California University Of Health Sciences generally make around $122,512. Typical student debt for the program is $20,378. Get the full physician assistant details for Southern California University Of Health Sciences

19

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science
Los Angeles, CA

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science earned the #19 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Los Angeles, Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit institution. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science graduates 30% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science earn around $100,375 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science

20

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University placed #20 among the best physician assistant schools. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 31 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $95,454 in their early career. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. More information about a degree in physician assistant from California Baptist University