2027 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region
Physician Assistant programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physician assistant schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Physician Assistant in the Southeast Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physician assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Physician Assistant
Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physician assistant. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 176 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $118,707. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Duke University
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. About 87 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Medical University Of South Carolina in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Medical University Of South Carolina earn around $131,895 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,043.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Medical University Of South Carolina
Emory University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Emory University awarded about 51 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Emory University earn around $115,202 in the first couple years of their career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Emory University
University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physician assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 55 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $107,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Florida
James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physician assistant, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. About 33 physician assistant degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from James Madison University earn around $120,817 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from James Madison University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for physician assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 19 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $105,700. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Florida State University earned the #7 position for physician assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $68,066. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for Florida State University
Wake Forest University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 80 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $106,711 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Wake Forest University
High Point University came in at #9 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for High Point University
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Memphis, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public institution. About 29 physician assistant degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center earn a median of $111,698 early in their careers. 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
University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences placed #11 among the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences is a mid-sized public university. University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences awarded about 37 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences earn around $71,517 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,765.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences
Mississippi State University earned the #12 position for physician assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Mississippi State. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Mississippi State University awarded about 22 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data 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.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Mississippi State University
Samford University landed the #13 spot for physician assistant this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Birmingham. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 35 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Samford University
Lynchburg College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 310 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.
Get the full physician assistant details for Lynchburg College
Randolph Macon College placed #15 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 22 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Randolph Macon College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Randolph Macon College generally make around $40,317. Students borrow a median of $26,432 to complete this degree.
Get the full physician assistant details for Randolph Macon College
Presbyterian College earned the #16 position for physician assistant this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Clinton. About 49% of students finish within six years. Presbyterian College awarded about 31 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Presbyterian College earn a median of $45,393 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,803.
See the full physician assistant program report for Presbyterian College
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. 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. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $68,146 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physician assistant program at University Of South Carolina Columbia
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. This small public university is located in the city of Shreveport. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport awarded about 39 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $118,383 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $40,400.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
Elon University landed the #19 spot for physician assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 36 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Elon University earn a median of $105,947 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,619.
Get the full physician assistant details for Elon University
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #20 spot for physician assistant this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 49 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $63,300. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for University Of South Florida Main Campus
Nova Southeastern University placed #21 among the best physician assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 241 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Nova Southeastern University earn around $93,694 in the first couple years of their career. Nova Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $32,250 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for Nova Southeastern University
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #22 among the best physician assistant schools. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 55 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $105,760. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Lincoln Memorial University landed the #23 spot for physician assistant this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lincoln Memorial University graduates 47% of students within six years. About 228 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $123,546 early in their careers. Lincoln Memorial University graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Lincoln Memorial University
Shenandoah University came in at #24 for physician assistant this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 159 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $100,464 early in their careers. Shenandoah University graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans.
Get the full physician assistant details for Shenandoah University
Lipscomb University landed the #25 spot for physician assistant this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 49 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Lipscomb University
Rest of the Top 50 Physician Assistant Schools
These schools also placed among the best for physician assistant this year:
Narrow Physician Assistant Schools by State
More Physician Assistant Rankings
View All Physician Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 69 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.