Best Physician Assistant colleges in California 2026
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 USBest Physician Assistant colleges in California for 2026
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 2024, 35 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 35 Master's degrees.
University 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 2024, 63 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 63 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 2024, 37 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 37 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 2024, 43 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 43 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 2024, 46 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 46 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 2024, 31 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 31 Master's degrees.
California State University-Monterey Bay offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2024, 27 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 27 Master's degrees.
Point Loma Nazarene University offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 28 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 28 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 2024, 41 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 41 Master's degrees.
Stanford University offers 1 Physician Assistant degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 26 Physician Assistant students graduated with students earning 26 Master's degrees.
Find local colleges with Physician Assistant majors in California
List of all Physician Assistant colleges in California
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA | 18 : 1 | 1,900 | |
|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | 21 : 1 | 46,566 | |
|
Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA | 13 : 1 | 4,210 | |
|
University of the Pacific Stockton, CA | 14 : 1 | 6,944 | |
|
Chapman University Orange, CA | 17 : 1 | 9,760 | |