2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physician assistant. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 26 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the physician assistant program at Stanford University

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 63 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data 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. See the full physician assistant program report for University Of Southern California

3

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of The Pacific one of the top schools for physician assistant. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $141,691 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for University Of The Pacific

4

Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Samuel Merritt University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 41 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Samuel Merritt University earn a median of $136,933 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full physician assistant program report for Samuel Merritt University

5

Chapman University
Orange, CA

A rank of #5 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for physician assistant. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 46 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Chapman University earn around $124,016 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657. Get the full physician assistant details for Chapman University

6

Touro University California
Vallejo, CA

Touro University California came in at #6 for physician assistant this year. Touro University California is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Vallejo. There were roughly 48 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Touro University California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Touro University California generally make around $131,671. Typical student debt for the program is $16,002. Read more about the physician assistant program at Touro University California

7

Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University came in at #7 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. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Loma Linda University

8

Western University Of Health Sciences
Pomona, CA

Western University Of Health Sciences landed the #8 spot for physician assistant this year. Western University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pomona. About 90 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Western University Of Health Sciences in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Western University Of Health Sciences earn around $132,122 in the first couple years of their career. See the full physician assistant program report for Western University Of Health Sciences

9

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 27 physician assistant degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent 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

10

Dominican University Of California
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University Of California placed #10 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. Dominican University Of California awarded about 35 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Dominican University Of California earn around $144,840 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Dominican University Of California

11

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University placed #11 among the best physician assistant schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 28 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $29,523 in their early career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,362 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Point Loma Nazarene University

12

Southern California University Of Health Sciences
Whittier, CA

Southern California University Of Health Sciences came in at #12 for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Whittier, Southern California University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Southern California University Of Health Sciences awarded about 48 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $122,512 in their early career. Southern California University Of Health Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,378 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Southern California University Of Health Sciences

13

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

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science landed the #13 spot for physician assistant this year. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Angeles. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science generally make around $100,375. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science

14

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #14 for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 31 physician assistant degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from California Baptist University earn around $95,454 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169. Get the full physician assistant details for California Baptist University