2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

No school ranked higher than Case Western Reserve University this year for physician assistant. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. About 87% of students finish within six years. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 29 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $122,004 in their early career. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Case Western Reserve University

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 35 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $107,097 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Northwestern University

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 56 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $108,627 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full physician assistant details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Butler University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Butler University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Butler University earn a median of $111,506 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Butler University

5

Midwestern University Downers Grove
Downers Grove, IL

Midwestern University Downers Grove is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #5. Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Downers Grove. There were roughly 82 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Midwestern University Downers Grove generally make around $123,370. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Midwestern University Downers Grove

6

Trine University
Angola, IN

Trine University earned the #6 position for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Angola. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Trine University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $54,881 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,765. Read more about the physician assistant program at Trine University

7

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 43 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $85,744 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,150 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

8

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College placed #8 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 31 physician assistant degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from North Central College earn around $46,247 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699. More information about a degree in physician assistant from North Central College

9

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #9 position for physician assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Valley State University awarded about 45 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $85,201 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for Grand Valley State University

10

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #10 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 76 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $88,835 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,985. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

11

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #11 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 29 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $88,942 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

12

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Detroit Mercy awarded about 61 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $111,218 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,053. Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of Detroit Mercy

13

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton landed the #13 spot for physician assistant this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 34 physician assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $112,830. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for University Of Dayton

14

Rush University
Chicago, IL

Rush University landed the #14 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 30 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Rush University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Rush University earn around $97,356 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,578. Get the full physician assistant details for Rush University

15

Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science
North Chicago, IL

Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science placed #15 among the best physician assistant schools. Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Chicago. There were roughly 60 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science earn a median of $107,599 early in their careers. Get the full physician assistant details for Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science

16

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 33 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $26,845 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,357. Get the full physician assistant details for Cleveland State University

17

Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon, WI

Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates 69% of students within six years. About 28 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $88,329. Typical student debt for the program is $26,497. Read more about the physician assistant program at Concordia University Wisconsin

18

Franklin College
Franklin, IN

Franklin College earned the #18 position for physician assistant this year. Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Franklin College awarded about 22 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Franklin College earn a median of $41,389 early in their careers. Franklin College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for Franklin College

19

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $87,447 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for Wayne State University

20

Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University landed the #20 spot for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Ashland. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Ashland University awarded about 20 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $48,852 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,536. Read more about the physician assistant program at Ashland University

21

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo placed #21 among the best physician assistant schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. About 58% of students finish within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 37 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $88,451 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Toledo

22

The University Of Findlay
Findlay, OH

The University Of Findlay came in at #22 for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Findlay. About 58% of students finish within six years. The University Of Findlay awarded about 19 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $83,114 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physician assistant from The University Of Findlay

23

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #23 for physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $71,830 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Ohio University Main Campus

24

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Central Michigan University awarded about 37 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $69,332 in their early career. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Central Michigan University

25

Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University landed the #25 spot for physician assistant this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 31 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Carroll University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Carroll University earn around $75,717 in the first couple years of their career. Carroll University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for Carroll University