2026 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 school for physician assistant. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $118,707. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Duke University

2

Medical University Of South Carolina
Charleston, SC

Medical University Of South Carolina is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #2. Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. There were roughly 96 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Medical University Of South Carolina in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $131,895 in their early career. Medical University Of South Carolina graduates carry a median of $29,043 in student loans. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Medical University Of South Carolina

3

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Emory University awarded about 50 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $115,202. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Emory University

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for physician assistant. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $107,126. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Florida

5

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 32 physician assistant degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $120,817 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for James Madison University

6

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #6 for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 17 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $105,700 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117. See the full physician assistant program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

7

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #7 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 58 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Florida State University earn around $68,066 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Florida State University

8

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #8 for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 86 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $106,711. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at Wake Forest University

9

Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College placed #9 among the best physician assistant schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 440 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Lynchburg College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $138,322 in their early career. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Lynchburg College

10

University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR

University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences landed the #10 spot for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Little Rock. There were roughly 37 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences earn a median of $71,517 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,765 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences

11

Presbyterian College
Clinton, SC

Presbyterian College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Presbyterian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Clinton. Presbyterian College graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Presbyterian College in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Presbyterian College earn a median of $45,393 early in their careers. Presbyterian College graduates carry a median of $25,803 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Presbyterian College

12

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Mississippi State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $47,383 in their early career. Mississippi State University graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for Mississippi State University

13

The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, TN

The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Memphis. About 26 physician assistant degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $111,698 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,679. More information about a degree in physician assistant from The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center

14

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University landed the #14 spot for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Birmingham. About 77% of students finish within six years. Samford University awarded about 35 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $64,132 in their early career. Samford University graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at Samford University

15

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport is a small public university. There were roughly 37 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport earn around $118,383 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $40,400 to complete this degree. Read more about the physician assistant program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport

16

Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University landed the #16 spot for physician assistant this year. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. About 66% of students finish within six years. Shenandoah University awarded about 130 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Shenandoah University earn around $100,464 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,005. Get the full physician assistant details for Shenandoah University

17

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #17 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 29 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $68,146. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full physician assistant program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia

18

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $105,947 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree. See the full physician assistant program report for Elon University

19

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #19 position for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 50 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $63,300 early in their careers. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

20

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #20 spot for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. West Virginia University awarded about 24 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $51,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. Read more about the physician assistant program at West Virginia University

21

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #21 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 56 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $105,760 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,162. More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Alabama At Birmingham

22

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University earned the #22 position for physician assistant this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Nova Southeastern University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 242 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Nova Southeastern University earn around $93,694 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,250. Get the full physician assistant details for Nova Southeastern University

23

Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physician assistant schools. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 191 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $123,546. Typical student debt for the program is $20,693. Get the full physician assistant details for Lincoln Memorial University

24

Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University earned the #24 position for physician assistant this year. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Campbell University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Campbell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $116,635. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Campbell University

25

Emory And Henry College
Emory, VA

Emory And Henry College came in at #25 for physician assistant this year. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Emory And Henry College in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Emory And Henry College graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for Emory And Henry College