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2027 Best Physician Assistant Schools in Illinois

9 Colleges in the United States
416 Physician Assistant Degrees Awarded
$96,143 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physician Assistant is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physician assistant schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Physician Assistant in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physician assistant education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Physician Assistant

1

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for physician assistant. 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. About 34 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $107,097. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Northwestern University

2
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,699. Read more about the physician assistant program at North Central College

3

Midwestern University Downers Grove came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Downers Grove. Midwestern University Downers Grove awarded about 83 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Midwestern University Downers Grove earn around $123,370 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the physician assistant program at Midwestern University Downers Grove

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 77 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $88,835 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,985 to complete this degree. Get the full physician assistant details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

5
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong physician assistant program will find one at Rush University, which ranked #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Rush University awarded about 32 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $97,356 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,578. Read more about the physician assistant program at Rush University

6

Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science landed the #6 spot for physician assistant this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of North Chicago. Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science awarded about 67 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science earn around $107,599 in the first couple years of their career. See the full physician assistant program report for Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science

7

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois placed #7 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 33 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of $101,006 early in their careers. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Get the full physician assistant details for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

8

University Of St Francis landed the #8 spot for physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of St Francis graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of St Francis awarded about 30 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $81,259 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of St Francis

9
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #9 among the best physician assistant schools. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Dominican University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Dominican University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $112,516 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,236. More information about a degree in physician assistant from Dominican University

View All Physician Assistant Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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