Physician assistants are medical professionals that perform a range of functions in a medical setting to evaluate, treat, and observe patients seeking healthcare. It is common for students interested in this role to get their bachelor’s before applying to master’s programs with a required residency at a hospital or doctor’s office.
Given the size of the state, California has over 10,000 practicing physician assistants that receive competitive compensation that can exceed $130,000 annually. Those that choose to pursue this career must be observant, communicative, and maintain a positive bedside manner with their patients.
Students can earn their bachelor’s degree in-person or online, though most programs require in-person lab time and face-to-face interactions with patients to prepare them for their future roles.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the USUniversity of Southern California offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 49 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 49 Master's degrees.
Loma Linda University offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 35 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 35 Master's degrees.
California Baptist University offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 30 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 30 Master's degrees.
Dominican University of California offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 23 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 23 Master's degrees.
University of the Pacific offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 40 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 40 Master's degrees.
Chapman University offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2020, 34 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 34 Master's degrees.
Samuel Merritt University offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 43 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 43 Master's degrees.
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 23 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 23 Master's degrees.
Marshall B Ketchum University offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 38 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 38 Master's degrees.
Western University of Health Sciences offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 93 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 93 Master's degrees.
School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
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University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | 22 : 1 | 46,287 | |
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Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA | 13 : 1 | 4,468 | |
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California Baptist University Riverside, CA | 33 : 1 | 11,317 | |
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Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA | 19 : 1 | 1,837 | |
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University of the Pacific Stockton, CA | 15 : 1 | 6,263 |