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2024 Best Physician Assistant Schools

222 Colleges in the United States
12,000 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in physician assistant, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #71 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 222 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Physician Assistant Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 12,000 degrees in physician assistant to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Physician Assistant School

Best Physician Assistant Schools Your choice of physician assistant school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Physician Assistant School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Physician Assistant Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Physician Assistant
Master's Degrees in Physician Assistant
Doctor's Degrees in Physician Assistant

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Physician Assistant Schools list to help you make the college decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.


 

Best Schools for Physician Assistant in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of physician assistant degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Physician Assistant

1
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In CA
36 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Any student pursuing a degree in physician assistant has to take a look at Loma Linda University. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 36 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Loma Linda University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In TX
44 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in physician assistant needs to look into The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. UT Health San Antonio is a small public university located in the city of San Antonio.

There were roughly 44 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at UT Health San Antonio in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In SC
85 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Medical University of South Carolina is a good choice for students interested in a degree in physician assistant. Located in the midsize city of Charleston, MUSC is a public university with a small student population.

There were roughly 85 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at MUSC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Medical University of South Carolina

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NE
74 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

University of Nebraska Medical Center is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in physician assistant. UNMC is a small public university located in the large city of Omaha.

There were about 74 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at UNMC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from University of Nebraska Medical Center

5
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NC
89 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were roughly 89 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Duke University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TX
90 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the fringe town of Galveston, UTMB Galveston is a public university with a small student population.

There were roughly 90 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at UTMB Galveston in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from The University of Texas Medical Branch

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In AZ
89 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the large suburb of Glendale, Midwestern University - Glendale is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 89 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern University - Glendale in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Midwestern University - Glendale

8
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CT
102 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were about 102 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Yale University

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In PA
128 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 8th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 128 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Thomas Jefferson University

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In IL
35 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 35 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Northwestern University

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MO
141 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the remote town of Kirksville, A T Still University of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were roughly 141 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at A T Still University of Health Sciences in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from A T Still University of Health Sciences

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Stanford. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.More information about a degree in physician assistant from Stanford University

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
91 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Pomona, Western University of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were roughly 91 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Western University of Health Sciences in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Western University of Health Sciences

14
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In GA
56 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 56 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Emory University

15
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In IL
6.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were roughly 30 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Rush University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Rush University

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MA
231 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Boston, MCPHS University is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

There were about 231 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at MCPHS University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
52 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 52 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from University of Southern California

18
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In NJ
92 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Rutgers New Brunswick is a very large public university located in the city of New Brunswick. This university ranks 3rd out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were roughly 92 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In TX
51 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

TTUHSC is a medium-sized public university located in the large city of Lubbock.

There were roughly 51 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at TTUHSC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WA
124 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 51 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 124 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In TX
68 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

UNT Health Science Center is a small public university located in the large city of Fort Worth.

There were roughly 68 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at UNT Health Science Center in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from University of North Texas Health Science Center

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DC
55 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

GWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. This university ranks 2nd out of 8 schools for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were approximately 55 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from George Washington University

23
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NV
75 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Touro University Nevada is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Henderson.

There were about 75 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Touro University Nevada in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Touro University Nevada

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In CA
48 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were roughly 48 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from Samuel Merritt University

25
South College crest
South College
Knoxville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TN
150 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Knoxville, South College is a private for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

There were about 150 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at South College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physician assistant from South College

Rest of the Top Best Physician Assistant Schools

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Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Physician Assistant Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
34Pacific UniversityForest Grove, OR
35Baylor College of MedicineHouston, TX
36Upstate Medical UniversitySyracuse, NY
37University of Maryland - BaltimoreBaltimore, MD
38University of the PacificStockton, CA
39Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO
40Tufts UniversityMedford, MA
41University of FloridaGainesville, FL
42University of Wisconsin - La CrosseLa Crosse, WI
43University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
44Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL

Physician Assistant by Region

View the Best Physician Assistant Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 23 majors within the Allied Health Professions area of study, Physician Assistant has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)27,240
Radiologic Technology10,633
Surgical Technology7,412
Respiratory Care Therapy6,569
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician6,160
Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapy4,080
Athletic Training3,408
Other Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions2,012
Cardiovascular Technology/Technologist1,367
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology773

View All Physician Assistant Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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