Introduction
Becoming a PA is much like becoming a doctor. The difference is in the training you’ll receive. PAs are required to complete training and shadowing hours but not to the same extent as a doctor. That’s why PAs are allowed to diagnose and treat patients, but at the end of the day, they report to a supervising physician. Becoming a PA is a great option if you love medicine but don’t have the finances or time necessary to become a doctor. Many PAs experience rewarding careers.
Today’s blog post looks at the 15 best PA schools in the United States. Our PA school rankings list comes from the best source around: the US News and World Report. We’re including every school that’s listed under the top 15, including schools that tie. So, ultimately, there are 20 schools on the list.
We’re also including the Peer Assessment Score, which is taken from data and research that is compiled at peer institutions. On a scale of one (marginal) to five (outstanding), each school is ranked from worst to best.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
15 Best PA Schools
#1 Duke University (Durham, NC)
#1 University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
#3 Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX)
#4 University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
#5 Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
#5 George Washington University (Washington, DC)
#7 University of Colorado (Aurora, CO)
#7 University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center—Dallas (Dallas, TX)
#7 Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
#10 Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
#10 Interservice Physician Assistant Program (Fort Sam Houston, TX)
#10 Oregon Health and Sciences University (Portland, OR)
#10 University of Southern California (Alhambra, CA)
#14 University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
#15 Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT)
#15 Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (North Chicago, IL)
#15 Stony Brook University—SUNY (Stony Brook, NY)
#15 University of Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha, NE)
#15 University of Wisconsin – La Crosse-Gunderson Medical Foundation-Mayo School (La Crosse, WI)
#15 University of Wisconsin – Madison (Madison, WI)
The Breakdown for Each School
#1 Duke University (Durham, NC)
Duke University is the “birthplace of the physician assistant profession,” and it’s no wonder why. Duke has the best PA program in the country. Receiving your education here will provide you with top-notch training and enable you to confidently practice medicine as a physician assistant. The curriculum at Duke is “highly structured and intensive” while also providing “a creative and supportive environment.”
Earning your PA credentials at Duke University will crown you with a Master of Health Sciences degree. The program consists of 109 credit hours. Of those 109 hours, 58 are included in pre-clinical studies and 51 are clinical.
You’ll take classes that teach you:
- How to view medicine from other perspectives
- How to lead and develop a team
- How to deal with ethical issues
- How to lead in a chaotic environment
For a comprehensive list of courses, visit this PDF and skip to page 196.
Duke University has a 4.2/5 score for its Peer Assessment Score.
Duke ranks for the following categories in the US News and World Report:
- #2 in Surgery
- #3 in Nursing-Anesthesia
- #4 in Anesthesiology
- #6 in Radiology
- #5 in Internal Medicine
- #7 in Physical Therapy
- #7 in Pediatrics (tie)
- #8 in Obstetrics and Gynecology
- #10 in Psychiatry
- #18 in Clinical Psychology (tie)
While Duke University is the #1 top-rated school listed on the US News and World Report, it’s not the only #1 school. It ties with the University of Iowa.
#2 University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
The University of Iowa’s PA program began immediately after PAs were given legal authority to practice medicine under a physician’s supervision in 1971. The PA program has grown and evolved over the years. Finally, in 2012, the Carver School of Medicine facilitated the opening of the Physician Assistant program. The PA program’s mission is to “recruit exemplary individuals from diverse backgrounds and educate them to provide high quality, compassionate health care as a physician assistant.”
The PA program is 28 months long and consists of:
- Foundations courses
- Medical gross anatomy
- Clinical and professional skills
- Medicine and society
- Mechanisms of health and disease
- Core rotations
– Family medicine
– Internal medicine
– Emergency medicine
– Obstetrics and gynecology
– Pediatrics
– Psychiatry
– Surgery
The University of Iowa ranks in the following categories:
- #18 in Clinical Psychology (tie)
- #22 in Primary Care (tie)
- #54 in Biological Sciences (tie)
- #67 in Chemistry
University of Iowa received a 4.2/5 for its peer assessment score. It’s not hard to see why it’s one of the best PA programs in the country.
#3 Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX)
Baylor University is a well-known, established university headquartered in Waco, Texas. The College of Medicine has a campus in Houston, Texas, where students can study to become Physician Assistants. The school ranks as #2 for Nursing-Anesthesia and #3 for its Physician Assistant program with the US News and World Report.
Baylor College of Medicine truly offers one of the best PA programs in the country. The program is 13 months long and teaches students with hands-on and interdisciplinary learning. There are two enrichment pathways from which students can choose: medical ethics or tropical medicine.
Baylor College of Medicine has a 4.1/5 Peer Assessment Score.
#4 University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
The Utah Physician Assistant Program began in 1971 when it became legal for PAs to practice medicine under a physician’s supervision. With age comes experience, and the University of Utah is no exception. It has become one of the best PA schools in the country. The school uses the MEDEX model and is sponsored by the Utah Medical Association.
The PA program is split into didactic and clinical coursework, which involves training students in the classroom before they interact with patients in a real-world setting.
The University of Utah ranks in family medicine and primary care, as well as its involvement with rural areas, primary care, underserved areas and diversity. The university has a 4/5 Peer Assessment Score.
#5 Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
Professionalism and team-based medicine are among the most-valued standards at Emory University. Based in Southern Georgia, the school emphasizes staying close by and providing medicine to local individuals who need care. Students who are interested in attending Emory University can choose from the following degree options:
- Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Degree (MMSc-PA)
- Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Degree and Master of Public Health Dual Degree (MMSc-PA, MPH)
Emory University ranks well on the US News and World Report in anesthesiology, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, radiology and surgery.
Emory University has a 3.9/5 Peer Assessment Sore.
#5 George Washington University (Washington, DC)
George Washington University offers one of the best PA programs in the country. You actually have two options: a Master of Science in Health Studies or a Master of Science in Health Studies / Master of Public Health. There’s a caveat, though. You may only apply to one program. The latter option is good if you want to work in public health in addition to becoming a PA.
Here is a sample of the courses you’ll take:
- Foundations of Medicine
- Evidence-Based Practice for PAs
- Physiology for Health Sciences Students
- Anatomy for Health Sciences Students
- Clinical Medicine
- Clinical Skills
- Health, Justice and Society
- Human Behavior
- Role of PA in American Healthcare
- Basic Principles of Pharmacology
- Clinical Specialties
- Practicums
– Inpatient Medicine
– Primary Care
– Surgery
– OB/GYN
– Pediatrics
– Emergency Medicine
– Behavioral Medicine
George Washington University ranks high on the US News and World Report.
- #60 for Medical School Research
- #72 for Graduates Serving in Underserved Areas
- #78 for Best Medical Schools for Primary Care
- #79 for Most Diverse Medical Schools
- #120 for Most Graduates Serving in Primary Care (tie)
- #151 for Most Graduates Serving in Rural Areas
George Washington University earned a 3.9/5 for its Peer Assessment Score.
#7 University of Colorado (Aurora, CO)
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has one of the best PA programs available: a Child Health Associate / Physician Assistant dual degree. The CHA/PA degree allows you to focus your studies on children. However, you can still treat adults.
The curriculum takes three years to complete and includes some of the following courses:
- Hematology, Infection, Inflammation and Malignancy
- Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary and Renal
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
- Foundations in Prevention, Advocacy, and Professional Practice
- Dermatology
- Musculoskeletal and Neurology
- Endocrinology and Reproduction
- Psychiatry
The University of Colorado ranks in the following categories for the US News and World Report:
- #5 in Pediatrics
- #7 for Physician Assistant (tie)
- #20 for Public Health (tie)
The University of Colorado has a 3.8/5 Peer Assessment Score.
#7 University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center—Dallas (Dallas, TX)
UT Southwestern is among the schools that began offering a PA program in 1972 when the law changed. Its program has evolved, and it has grown into one of the best PA schools. Currently, it takes 30 months to complete the program. You begin in May and graduate the following December. For example, if you start in May 2022, you’ll graduate in December 2023.
During those 30 months, you’ll have eight semesters. Four of those semesters will be spent in classroom lectures and lab settings. The other four will be spent in clinical rotations. Like most other PA programs, the curriculum is first didactic and then clinical. Your grades don’t need to be perfect, but you must maintain a 2.75/4.0 GPA to graduate from the didactic phase and begin the clinical phase.
UT Southwestern ranks in the following categories in the US News and World Report:
- #7 in Physician Assistant (tie)
- #26 for Best Medical Schools for Research
- #32 for Best Medical Schools in Primary Care
- #57 in Physical Therapy
- #101 in Clinical Psychology
UT Southwestern also ranks in anesthesiology, internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics and surgery. The school earned a 3.8/5 Peer Assessment Score.
#7 Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
Wake Forest University offers a 24-month Master of Medical Science degree for students seeking to become PAs. The school’s mission is to “produce highly capable, compassionate PAs who deliver patient-centered care, make significant contributions … and advance the PA profession.”
Wake Forest University beats out every other school we’ve discussed so far. The PA program began in 1969 before PAs were allowed to practice medicine under supervision. Each incoming class consists of 88 students. Currently, up to 50% of students of students are from North Carolina. The average GPA is a 3.57/4.0.
Wake Forest University holds the following US News and World Report rankings:
- #48 for Best Medical Schools in Research
- #56 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas
- #60 for most graduates practicing in rural areas
- #73 for Most Diverse Medical Schools (tie)
- #80 for Best Medical Schools in Primary Care
Wake Forest University earned a 3.8/5 Peer Assessment Score.
#10 Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
The Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions Master of Health Science degree is one of the best PA programs there is. The program emphasizes competency, integrity, respect for diversity, teamwork, patient advocacy and community service (not the punishment kind!). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits the PA program.
Students will take the following courses:
- Clinical Anatomy
- Patient Communication
- Ethical Issues
- Clinical Assessments
- PA Practice
- Health Policy for PA Practice
- Evidence-Based Medicine for PAs
- Principles of Medical Science
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Biopsychosocial Issues in Patient Care
- Clinical Medicine
- Topics in Clinical Practice
- Clinical Skills
Students will complete the following rotations:
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Women’s Health
- Behavioral Medicine
- Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Drexel University ranks in the following US News and World Report categories:
- #86 for Medical Schools in Research (tie)
- #79 for Most Diverse Medical Schools
- #93 for Medical Schools in Primary Care
- #114 for Most Graduate Practicing in Rural Areas
- #226 for Most Graduate Practicing in Primary Care Fields
- #142 for Most Graduate Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
Drexel University earned a 3.8/5 for its Peer Assessment Score.
#10 Interservice Physician Assistant Program (Fort Sam Houston, TX)
The Interservice Physician Assistant Program is a U.S. Military Graduate School program and one of the best PA schools in the United States. Some branches of the military allow the National Guard and Reserves to apply, while other branches require you to be Active Duty.
IPAP ranks at #8 for Nursing-Anesthesia and #10 for its PA program on the US News and World Report. IPAP has a 3.7/5 for its Peer Assessment Score.
These are some of the courses you’ll take if you’re accepted into the Interservice Physician Assistant Program:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Med / Law Ethics
- Research Evaluation
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Radiology
- Psychiatry
- EKG
- Gastroenterology
- Military Public Health
- Orthopedics
- Pulmonary
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Hematology / Oncology
- Surgery
- Dermatology
- OB / GYN
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Genitourinary
- Otolaryngology / Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
#10 Oregon Health and Sciences University (Portland, OR)
For PA School rankings, Oregon Health and Sciences University is the second school that ties for #10 on the list. It was founded over 20 years ago and exists to graduate PAs who will treat the medically underserved.
OHSU’s PA program is full-time and lasts for 26 months. Each year, OHSU accepts 42 students into its newest incoming class. The Didactic phase lasts for 12 months, and the Clinical phase lasts for 14 months. The OHSU program lists its full curriculum on its website for prospective students.
OHSU holds the following rankings on the US News and World Report:
- #1 in Family Medicine
- #4 for Best Medical School in Primary Care
- #29 for Best Medical School for Research
- #33 for Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
- #42 for Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
- #69 for Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
- #86 for Most Diverse Medical Schools (tie)
OHSU earned a 3.7/5 for its Peer Assessment Score.
#10 University of Southern California (Alhambra, CA)
The University of Southern California’s PA program is the final school to tie for the #10 spot for best PA program in the country. We’ve covered the Keck School of Medicine as part of our series of definitive guides to getting into medical school. But USC also has an excellent PA program.
Here’s a sample of the courses you’ll take:
- Basic Medical Sciences
- Behavioral Sciences
- Clinical Skills
- Topics in Medicine
- PA Critical Thinking
Detailed information on these courses is available through the USC website.
USC has a 3.7/5 Peer Assessment Score. Additionally, the college ranks in Research, Primary Care, Diverse Medical Schools, Underserved Areas and Rural Areas.
#14 University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
Jumping all the way down to #14 for PA school rankings, the University of Washington’s PA program is one of the longest-running programs in the country. It was founded in 1969. Today, the program serves patients in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Hawaii and Nevada. UW places a strong emphasis on primary care.
If you study at UW, you’ll take courses in:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Basic Science in Clinical Medicine
- Pathophysiology for Primary Care
- Basic Clinical Skills
- Behavioral Medicine
- Professional Role Development
- Technical Skills
- Adult Medicine
- Maternal and Child Health
- Principles of Patient Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Investigative Skills
UW has a 3.6/5 Peer Assessment Score and ranks in the following categories:
- #1 Best Medical School for Primary Care
- #7 for Best Medical Schools for Research (tie)
- #9 in Pediatrics
- #11 in Radiology (tie)
#15 Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT)
Six different schools tie for the #15 spot for PA school rankings on the US News and World Report. Our first school is Quinnipiac, located in Hamden, Connecticut. The QU PA program offers students a Master of Health Sciences degree. Students in the QU PA program average a 98.4% passing rate for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam.
QU offers the same Didactic courses and Clinical clerkships that many other PA programs have. After all, many of those classes are required by state boards. But every program has classes that are unique to the school. QU is no exception:
- Principles of Interviewing
- Principles of Electrocardiography
- Diagnostic Methods
- Principles of Internal Medicine
- History, Roles and Responsibility of the PA
- Psychosocial Issues in Health Care
- Medical Writing Workshop
Additionally, you’ll go through nine clinical residencies.
Quinnipiac has a 3.5/5 Peer Assessment Score and ranks for Most Diverse Schools, Primary Care and Research.
#15 Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (North Chicago, IL)
The second of six schools, Rosalind Franklin University has an outstanding PA program. It’s no wonder it’s in the top 15 PA school rankings. Students will take courses like Clinical Anatomy, Population Medicine, Pharmacotherapy, Complementary Medicine and Interprofessional Case Collaborations. These are in addition to board-mandated courses like Infectious Disease and Pediatrics.
RFU has a 3.5/5 Peer Assessment Score and ranks in the following categories:
#84 for Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
#95 for Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
#97 for Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
#15 Stony Brook University—SUNY (Stony Brook, NY)
Our PA school rankings continue with Stony Brook University, which has a regular PA program and a PA Post-Professional Program. The Post-Professional program is for students who are established PAs looking to increase their knowledge, skills and level of expertise.
The Entry Level PA program opened its doors in 1971. In 2022, the program lasts for 24 months and is split into Didactic and Clinical phases. You’ll take courses in:
- Human Gross Anatomy
- Professional Practice Issues
- Community Health and Service Learning
- Integrative Systems Physiology
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine
- Pathobiology
- Principles of Clinical Pharmacology
- Problem Based Learning
- Clinical Medicine
- Ethics and Health Care
- Research Design and Evidence Based Medicine
- Master Projects
- Clinical Clerkships
Upon completion of all courses and clinical clerkships, students are granted a Master of Science degree.
The PA Post-Professional program covers topics that PAs need to understand to become/remain the best in their field. Topics include:
- New standards of practice
- Evolving delivery systems
- Changes in reimbursement procedures
- Shifts in population demographics
- Opportunities and challenges in technology
Stony Brook University has a 3.5/5 Peer Assessment Score and ranks in Research, Primary Care, Diverse Schools and Practicing in Rural Areas, Underserved Areas and Primary Care Fields.
#15 University of Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha, NE)
Tying for the #15 spot for PA school rankings, The University of Nebraska Medical Center offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies. The program is seven semesters long and enrolls 66 students for each incoming class. UNMC also works with the military to provide Interservice Physician Assistant Programs and Canadian Forces Affiliations.
UNMC has a 3.5/5 Peer Assessment Score and ranks in the following categories:
- #5 for Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas
- #6 in Primary Care
- #26 for Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
- #54 for Research
- #91 for Diverse Medical Schools
#15 University of Wisconsin – La Crosse-Gunderson Medical Foundation-Mayo School (La Crosse, WI)
The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse-Gunderson Medical Foundation-Mayo School is perhaps the most unique school on our list. Its status within PA school rankings is easily understood. First off, the reason for its long name comes from the multi-school partnership that makes this PA program possible. Indeed, the Gunderson Medical Foundation, the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and the Marshfield Clinic Health System partnered with UWL to create the program. Instructors from all four universities contribute to the curriculum, teaching the didactic curriculum before sending students on to the Clinical portion of the program.
Students will take the following courses:
- Human Gross Anatomy
- Applied Anatomy
- Medical Biochemistry
- Medical Physiology
- Pathology
- Introduction to the PA Profession
- Clinical Infectious Disease
- Medical Pharmacology
- Medical History and Physical Exam
- Evidence Based Medicine
- Medical Diagnostics
- Internal Medicine: Cardiology
- Internal Medicine: GI & Pulmonology
- Neuroanatomy
- Health Care Systems, Law, Medicine and Ethics
- Clinical Practice Skills
- Behavioral Medicine
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Neuroscience
- Maternal and Fetal Care
- Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
- Genitourinary Medicine
- General Surgery and Anesthesia
- Orthopedics
- Dermatology
UWL ranks well on the US News and World Report:
- #42 in Physical Therapy
- #108 in Occupational Therapy
- #135 in Public Health (tie)
The School of Medicine earned a 3.5/5 Peer Assessment Score
#15 University of Wisconsin – Madison (Madison, WI)
The School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is an international leader in education. The PA program was established to address healthcare shortages across the nation. As the program has evolved, it became the first school to combine medicine and public health. The School of Medicine emphasizes services, scholarship, science and social responsibility. It’s no wonder the school ranks so well for PA school rankings.
If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll take the following courses:
- Human Anatomy
- Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine
- Medical Microbiology
- Clinical Medicine
- Clinical Prevention and Community Practice
- Women’s Health
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Diagnostic Methods
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Medicine
- Fundamentals of Surgery
- Professional Seminar and Capstone
The following are UWM’s rankings on the US News and World Report:
- #6 in Family Medicine
- #12 in Best Medical Schools for Primary Care
- #24 for Most Graduates Practicing in a Rural Area
- #33 in Best Medical Schools for Research
- #39 for Most Diverse Medical Schools (tie)
- #51 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields (tie)
UWM earned a 3.5/5 Peer Assessment Score.
Conclusion
PA school rankings say a lot about a program. These programs rank high for a reason – they are the best. If you want to become the best in your field, you’ll want to learn from world-class instructors using the best technology available. The schools we’ve discussed in this article provide that. We wish you the very best if you choose to apply to any of these programs.
If you need help with your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Here at International Medical Aid, we offer PA school admissions consulting for prospective students. You might just be getting started, or this might be your second try. Wherever you are in the process, we’re here to help.
