Best institutions to study Physician Associate/Assistant
A program that prepares individuals to practice medicine, including diagnoses and treatment therapies, under the supervision of a physician.
277 U.S. institutions graduated 13,740 Physician Associate/Assistant students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0912, a specialization of Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09), and leads most directly to the Physician Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 29-1071).
About Physician Associate/Assistant programs
A program that prepares individuals to practice medicine, including diagnoses and treatment therapies, under the supervision of a physician. Includes instruction in the basic medical and clinical sciences and specialized preparation in fields such as family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, general surgery, psychiatry, and behavioral medicine; the delivery of health care services to homebound patients, rural populations, and underserved populations; and community health services.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Physician Associate/Assistant program, part of the Allied Health Diagnostic field, prepares individuals to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. This program focuses on diagnosing and treating patients, making it ideal for those interested in a hands-on healthcare role. It is suitable for students who are dedicated to improving patient care and serving diverse populations, including underserved communities.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework includes foundational knowledge in medicine, biology, and psychology, equipping graduates with the competencies needed to interpret diagnostic tests and manage patient care effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Physician Associate/Assistant graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree12,695 graduates / yr · 271 institutions92%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice342 graduates / yr · 5 institutions2.5%
- Bachelor's degree310 graduates / yr · 12 institutions2.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship252 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate91 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
- Associate's degree26 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Post-master's certificate22 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Physician Associate/Assistant completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,693 |
| 2013 | 7,138 |
| 2014 | 7,555 |
| 2015 | 8,106 |
| 2016 | 8,544 |
| 2017 | 8,919 |
| 2018 | 9,467 |
| 2019 | 10,195 |
| 2020 | 10,743 |
| 2021 | 11,349 |
| 2022 | 12,000 |
| 2023 | 12,478 |
| 2024 | 12,956 |
| 2025 | 13,740 |
Top 50 institutions for Physician Associate/Assistant, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 310 | 57% | $19,488 | — |
| 2 | South College Knoxville, TNPrivate for-profitMaster's | 292 | 42% | $20,346 | $44,888 |
| 3 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 241 | 63% | $31,672 | $74,202 |
| 4 | Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 228 | 50% | $18,981 | — |
| 5 | A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 219 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 212 | 62% | $35,358 | $76,575 |
| 7 | Touro University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 197 | 72% | $27,110 | $68,919 |
| 8 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 176 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 9 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 159 | 67% | $27,455 | — |
| 10 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster's | 152 | 85% | — | $49,331 |
| 11 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 152 | 85% | — | $135,384 |
| 12 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 121 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 13 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 120 | 69% | $34,539 | $28,542 |
| 14 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 118 | 69% | $26,034 | $82,918 |
| 15 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 107 | 60% | $29,994 | — |
| 16 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicMaster's | 103 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Touro University Nevada Henderson, NVPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 100 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 99 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 19 | Barry University Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 98 | 38% | $24,719 | $144,190 |
| 20 | Saint Francis University Loretto, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 94 | 74% | $15,989 | — |
| 21 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicMaster's | 93 | 51% | — | — |
| 22 | Midwestern University - Glendale Glendale, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 92 | — | — | — |
| 23 | Gannon University Erie, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 91 | 66% | $21,409 | — |
| 24 | Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 89 | — | — | — |
| 25 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublicMaster's | 87 | — | — | — |
| 26 | Arcadia University Glenside, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 84 | 67% | $23,796 | — |
| 27 | Midwestern University - Downers Grove Downers Grove, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 83 | — | — | — |
| 28 | Bay Path University Longmeadow, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 83 | 44% | $16,859 | — |
| 29 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicMaster's | 81 | — | — | $72,789 |
| 30 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 80 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 31 | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 79 | — | — | — |
| 32 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 77 | 62% | — | $69,021 |
| 33 | DeSales University Center Valley, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 73 | 72% | $26,990 | — |
| 34 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 73 | 77% | $32,060 | — |
| 35 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 72 | 70% | $22,641 | — |
| 36 | University of North Texas Health Science Center Fort Worth, TXPublicMaster's | 71 | — | — | — |
| 37 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 71 | 83% | $25,376 | — |
| 38 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicMaster's | 70 | 39% | — | $62,226 |
| 39 | King's College Wilkes-Barre, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 69 | 60% | $22,131 | — |
| 40 | South University - Savannah Savannah, GAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 68 | 9% | $25,764 | — |
| 41 | D'Youville University Buffalo, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 68 | 67% | $18,846 | $101,885 |
| 42 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's | 68 | 76% | — | $92,165 |
| 43 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicMaster's | 68 | — | — | $67,979 |
| 44 | Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science North Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 67 | — | — | — |
| 45 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 67 | 66% | $27,359 | $100,883 |
| 46 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 67 | 46% | — | — |
| 47 | Le Moyne College Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 66 | 73% | $20,356 | — |
| 48 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 66 | 70% | $28,133 | $78,298 |
| 49 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicMaster's | 66 | 65% | — | — |
| 50 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 64 | 69% | $27,376 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field (CIP 51.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 47 states & territories
Where Physician Associate/Assistant graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health Diagnostic programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1071, Physician Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physician Associate/Assistant program primarily pursue careers as Physician Assistants, with an annual growth rate of 20.4% and approximately 12,000 job openings each year. The median wage for this profession is $133,260, and a Master's degree is typically required for entry into the field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0912
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Physician Assistantsprimary SOC 29-1071 | $135,880 | +20.4% Much faster than average | ~12,000 | Master's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Physician Associate/Assistant programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
Tools and technology used
Other Allied Health Diagnostic specializations
The 23 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09).
- Emergency Medical Technology/CIP 51.0904
Technician (EMT Paramedic) 32,524 graduates / yr662 institutions - Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0911
Science - Radiographer 13,035 graduates / yr502 institutions - Surgical Technology/CIP 51.0909
Technologist 8,514 graduates / yr460 institutions - Diagnostic Medical Sonography/CIP 51.0910
Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician 7,984 graduates / yr330 institutions - Respiratory Care Therapy/CIP 51.0908
Therapist 6,816 graduates / yr389 institutions - Medical Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0907
Science - Radiation Therapist 4,302 graduates / yr212 institutions - Athletic Training/CIP 51.0913
Trainer 3,326 graduates / yr302 institutions - Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsCIP 51.09992,359 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Cardiovascular Technology/CIP 51.0901
Technologist 1,902 graduates / yr91 institutions - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology/CIP 51.0920
Technician 1,327 graduates / yr62 institutions - Electrocardiograph Technology/CIP 51.0902
Technician 858 graduates / yr43 institutions - Nuclear Medical Technology/CIP 51.0905
Technologist 707 graduates / yr69 institutions - Electroneurodiagnostic/CIP 51.0903
Electroencephalographic Technology/ Technologist 302 graduates / yr31 institutions - PolysomnographyCIP 51.0917242 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Perfusion Technology/CIP 51.0906
Perfusionist 171 graduates / yr14 institutions - Gene/CIP 51.0914
Genetic Therapy partial data92 graduates / yr3 institutions - Mammography Technology/CIP 51.0919
Technician 87 graduates / yr18 institutions - Radiation Protection/CIP 51.0916
Health Physics Technician partial data62 graduates / yr5 institutions - Cardiopulmonary Technology/CIP 51.0915
Technologist partial data51 graduates / yr4 institutions - Orthopedic Technology/CIP 51.0923
Technician limited data22 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hearing Instrument SpecialistCIP 51.0918limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hyperbaric Medicine Technology/
Technician51.0921 - Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technology/
Technician51.0922
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, which is the most common credential awarded.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, and communication skills, among others.
What is the job outlook for Physician Assistants?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 20.4%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 277 colleges offering the Physician Associate/Assistant program across the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Physician Associate/Assistant?+
Physician Associate/Assistant is CIP 51.0912 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to practice medicine, including diagnoses and treatment therapies, under the supervision of a physician. Includes instruction in the basic medical and clinical sciences and specialized preparation in fields such as family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, general surgery, psychiatry, and behavioral medicine; the delivery of health care services to homebound patients, rural populations, and underserved populations; and community health services.
How many institutions offer Physician Associate/Assistant programs?+
277 U.S. institutions reported Physician Associate/Assistant graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 47 states & territories, awarding 13,740 credentials in the year. That is 14.0% of all Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.
How much do Physician Associate/Assistant graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physician Assistants occupation, which Physician Associate/Assistant most directly leads to, pays a median of $135,880 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field report median earnings of $62,226 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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