2027 Best Physician Assistant Schools in Virginia
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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools to find the best for physician assistant students.
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Best Schools for Physician Assistant in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physician assistant education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Physician Assistant
Leading the list is James Madison University, our #1 school for physician assistant. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 33 physician assistant degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $120,817 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans.
See the full physician assistant program report for James Madison University
Lynchburg College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 310 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Lynchburg College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physician assistant degree from Lynchburg College earn around $138,322 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Lynchburg College
A rank of #3 makes Randolph Macon College one of the top schools for physician assistant. 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. Randolph Macon College awarded about 22 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physician Assistant graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $40,317 early in their careers. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $26,432 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physician assistant from Randolph Macon College
Shenandoah University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winchester. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 159 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent 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
A rank of #5 makes Emory And Henry College one of the top schools for physician assistant. Set in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Emory And Henry College graduates 56% of students within six years. About 28 physician assistant degrees were awarded at Emory And Henry College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $47,255. Typical student debt for the program is $26,938.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Emory And Henry College
Old Dominion University came in at #6 for physician assistant this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 67 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physician assistant degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete this degree.
See the full physician assistant program report for Old Dominion University
Radford University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best physician assistant schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. Radford University awarded about 41 physician assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $83,490 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full physician assistant details for Radford University
Mary Baldwin College landed the #8 spot for physician assistant this year. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 34 physician assistant students who graduated with this degree at Mary Baldwin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physician assistant program make about $105,021 in their early career. Mary Baldwin College graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at Mary Baldwin College
South Universityrichmond came in at #9 for physician assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Allen, South Universityrichmond is a small private for-profit university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 physician assistant degrees were awarded at South Universityrichmond in the most recent year. Physician Assistant graduates of South Universityrichmond earn a median of $107,029 early in their careers. South Universityrichmond graduates carry a median of $49,375 in student loans.
Read more about the physician assistant program at South Universityrichmond
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
- 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.