Top 7 PA Schools in California in 2025

California is a great place to start your journey if you're considering a career as a physician assistant. With its diverse patient population and robust healthcare industry, California offers many opportunities for aspiring physician assistants.

The Golden State is home to several top-tier physician assistant programs, such as Stanford University, California State University, and other programs. Most options will offer rigorous curricula, extensive clinical experience, and preparation for leadership roles in healthcare.

With so many physician assistant schools, deciding which California university is the best place for you to earn your degree can take time. In this Bold article, I've compiled a list of California's top physician assistant programs to help you find the perfect place to gain the didactic and clinical experience necessary for a fulfilling career.

Some of our other top contenders include:

• University of California, Davis
• Chapman University
• University of Southern California

Now let's get into specifics: types of courses offered, program strengths, and more tips to help you decide what your ideal physician assistant program looks like. We've researched each school, considering opinions from trusted journalism sites and experts like Anne Walsh, clinical professor at Chapman University. Keep reading to see how we rank each university.

Don't forget to apply for PA school scholarships while building out your school list to earn money to help you pay for your education.

Top PA Schools in California

1. Stanford University - Palo Alto, CA

Stanford University offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies to highly motivated students who want to learn from some of the most impactful leaders in healthcare research today.

The PA school at Stanford is unique in that PA students are required to select a leadership track in one of five areas: community health, health services and policy research, clinical research, medical education, and healthcare administration. In their final year of study, prospective physician assistants then complete a capstone project in their leadership track.

Stanford's physician assistant education is based on a flipped classroom model, wherein students ingest traditional lectures online on their own time and use classroom time to learn collaboratively with peers and faculty. The university also incorporates interprofessional education into its PA curriculum by having PA students enroll in several courses alongside medical students from the medical school.

Furthermore, PA students at Stanford are mentored by clinically practicing Stanford physician assistants in their academic learning and research. Students also have access to a world-class clinical anatomy lab and a state-of-the-art center for immersive and simulation-based learning that empowers them to engage in interactive, hands-on learning.

2. University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA

The Keck School of Medicine at USC houses a top-tier physician assistant program in the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the state. USC's PA program emphasizes training graduates to practice medicine in primary care and work with patients in medically underserved areas in California.

During the program's first half, PA students take classes in basic medical sciences and clinical disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical laboratory medicine.

Afterward, during the clinical medicine phase, students participate in clinical rotations at sites in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. PA students even have the opportunity to rotate at the Los Angeles General Medical Center, the Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and the Keck Medicine of USC Medical Center.

3. University of California, Davis - Davis, CA

UC Davis's physician assistant program is housed within its renowned School of Nursing and led by the Nursing Science and Healthcare Leadership Graduate Group, an interprofessional team of more than 50 faculty members from disciplines such as medicine, nursing, public health, and sociology.

During the 27-month program, PA students take academic and clinical skills courses and participate in supervised clinical practice. Students at UC Davis's PA school can rotate in specialties such as primary care, pediatrics, women's health, psychiatry, and emergency medicine.

Furthermore, to graduate from the physician assistant program, students must complete a scholarly project and a comprehensive exam that ensures they are thoroughly prepared to enter the field. The courses at UC Davis not only educate students on medical science but also help them cultivate the critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and knowledge of health systems required for a successful career.

UC Davis's physician assistant program is housed within its renowned School of Nursing and led by the Nursing Science and Healthcare Leadership Graduate Group, an interprofessional team of more than 50 faculty members from disciplines such as medicine, nursing, public health, and sociology.

During the 27-month program, PA students take academic and clinical skills courses and participate in supervised clinical practice. Students at UC Davis's PA school can rotate in specialties such as primary care, pediatrics, women's health, psychiatry, and emergency medicine.

Furthermore, to graduate from the physician assistant program, students must complete a scholarly project and a comprehensive exam that ensures they are thoroughly prepared to enter the field. The courses at UC Davis not only educate students on medical science but also help them cultivate the critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and knowledge of health systems required for a successful career.

4. Chapman University - Irvine, CA

Chapman University offers an ARC-PA "Accreditation-Continued" program for students seeking a Master's in Medical Science. The PA Studies Program follows a 24-month year-round cohort model for full-time students. At Chapman, your time will be split into 12 months of didactic courses and 12 months of clinical education, with three trimesters per year.

Some of the required courses for didactic year studies include Principles of Medical Science, Human Anatomy with cadaver lab, Pharmacology, and Reproductive Health. To prepare PA students for interdisciplinary team-based care, they also complete an Interprofessional Education course series alongside their physical therapy, pharmacy, and speech-language pathology student peers. Required clinical year rotations include Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Mental and Behavior Health. Students also complete an Elective rotation in their specialty of choice; popular specialty rotations include Cardiology, Interventional Radiology, and Plastic Surgery.

PA students will attend classes on the Rinker Health Science campus, which features various labs, practice suites, and collaborative classrooms. With access to some of the top healthcare facilities in Southern California, students can complete all nine rotations locally at well-established clinical sites.

Chapman University's PA Studies program also embraces community outreach. The Special Olympics Summer and Fall Games in Southern California are a favorite event at which Chapman students volunteer.

Kinesiology can be an excellent area for supplemental study if you're looking to become a medical professional. Check out these top kinesiology programs to find the right fit for you!

5. Samuel Merritt University - Oakland, CA

Samuel Merritt University offers a highly respected PA program emphasizing community health and social justice. The program is 27 months long and consists of four semesters (15 months) of basic sciences and three semesters (12 months) of full-time clinical rotations. Students at Samuel Merritt have the opportunity to participate in supervised clinical medicine in areas including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, surgery, and emergency medicine.

During their final year, prospective PAs at Samuel Merritt will learn essential skills for obtaining a job in the industry, including resume writing, risk management, malpractice insurance, and obtaining a PA license in California. An impressive 96% of graduates found employment in the field within six months of graduating.

The PA program is committed to training PAs who are culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of underserved populations. In addition to the standard curriculum, Samuel Merritt's program includes coursework on healthcare disparities and cultural competence. Graduates of the program have a high pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and go on to work in primary care, internal medicine, and other fields.

6. University of the Pacific - Stockton, CA

The University of the Pacific is a highly regarded PA program in California that thoroughly prepares students to pass the PANCE and begin working as a clinician after graduating. The curriculum itself is based on the PANCE blueprint, and the university offers preparatory courses for the PANCE exam.

PA students at the University of the Pacific take three elective rotations and pathway tracks that enable them to focus on their main areas of interest and specialties they want to pursue as a PA. Remote electives also help students gain experience in the increasingly common field of telemedicine and prepare for practicing medicine outside of a traditional clinic setting.

Students are further prepared to practice medicine through a Medical Spanish requirement, considering that a large portion of California's population is Spanish-speaking. Through the Medical Spanish course, students learn basic medical terminology in Spanish and practice their speaking skills through standardized patient interactions and rural clinical placements.

7. Western University of Health Sciences - Pomona, CA

Western University of Health Sciences is one of the largest graduate schools specific to health sciences in the country, with programs in nursing, veterinary medicine, osteopathic medicine, and physical therapy, to name a few. The physician assistant program students participate in an interprofessional curriculum alongside other health sciences graduate students to prepare to work as part of a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

During the first year of the physician assistant program, students meet in small groups with other health sciences master's students and a faculty facilitator to review real-life case studies. Additionally, Western University PA students can participate in eleven months of rotation geared toward primary care and electives in other areas of medicine, such as orthopedics, oncology, cardiology, and infectious disease. Students gain clinical experience at more than 500 rotation sites located throughout the state.

To learn more about the best nursing schools in California, check out more blog posts on our Bold.org blog!

What to Consider When Choosing a Physician Assistant Program

Each school highlighted here has a unique approach to PA education and provides students with a strong foundation for a successful career in healthcare. Many of these universities offer clinical rotations in primary care, women's health, behavioral medicine, and other specialty fields. Diverse elective rotations, innovative academic coursework, and state-of-the-art simulation facilities are just a few more of the outstanding resources the best PA schools in California offer.

Location and Clinical Rotations

Whether part of your required clinical rotations or elective clinical rotations, the hands-on aspect of your training is one of the most important aspects of your studies. Medical knowledge is one thing—it's another thing entirely to apply it in real life.

Consider where each school is located—you'll likely attend clinical rotations nearby. In addition, research any existing affiliations each school has with hospitals, therapy centers, research labs, and other medical sites of interest.

Tuition Costs

Obtaining your health sciences master in physician assistant studies can be an overwhelming educational expense, with PA school costing anywhere between $30,000 and $120,000 for most students. Start applying for healthcare scholarships on Bold.org's scholarship platform to save money while earning your master's degree.

In addition, research individual scholarships offered at different institutions, integrative healthcare teams, and other PA organizations you may become associated with during your studies. These niche, local scholarships may provide you with the best chances of winning money.

Be sure to consider how you plan to pay for the PA programs you apply to, and compare the financial aid packages they provide you with if you're admitted. School aid can make a huge difference on top of any contributions you already plan to make.

Personal Interests

Physician assistants and other healthcare professionals can specialize in a variety of fields. Consider where you want to work post-graduation and what coursework would be most important to you in pursuit of that. Research electives offered at each school and determine what kind of healthcare facilities are nearby.

Other factors to think about when choosing a PA program are the first-time board pass rates and the national rankings. While admissions rates, first-time board pass rates, and other statistics are constantly shifting, taking a look at these numbers can help you get a sense of how competitive each school is and how well it'll prepare you for the field.

Frequently Asked Questions About PA Schools in California

What role does a physician assistant play on a healthcare team?

Physician assistants participate in direct patient care and health promotion as healthcare professionals who work under a medical doctor's supervision. Physician assistants can perform many of the services traditionally offered by MDs, including performing physical exams, diagnosing patients, counseling patients on preventative care and lifestyle changes, prescribing medications, and more.

Is California a good place to attend physician assistant school?

California is among the best places in the nation to earn a master of science in physician assistant studies and become a licensed physician assistant. Not only does California have a wealth of excellent PA schools, but it also boasts one of the highest salaries for healthcare professionals.

Can I apply for PA school in California with a bachelor’s degree in a non-healthcare field?

Yes, PA schools in California accept applicants with bachelor's degrees from various fields. However, you must fulfill the specific prerequisite coursework requirements in the sciences and related subjects.

Read about the top PA schools in the United States and how you can earn scholarship money for your graduate degree on the Bold.org blog. And don't forget to create a free Bold.org account to start applying for scholarships!