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An Analysis of Characteristics of Physician Assistant Programs by US News & World Report Ranking Tier
1Northwestern University PA Program, Chicago, Illinois.
Introduction:
The US News & World Report (USNWR) is the most widely recognized publication currently ranking PA programs. Concerns have been raised about the methodology particularly that the metrics are subjective, oversimplified, and do not reflect educational quality. Because rankings may influence PA program reputation and applicant decision making, examining characteristics of the top-ranked PA programs is important.
Methods:
This nonexperimental, descriptive study analyzed PA Programs ranked in the USNWR 2025 "Best Physician Assistant Programs" publication. Data were collected from individual PA program websites, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant website, and the PA Education Association Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants Directory. Programs were grouped into 4 tiers. Program, institutional, and outcome variables were compared using ANOVA, χ2 testing, and correlation analysis.
Results:
Data from 206 programs were collected. Program age and academic health center affiliation differed significantly between higher and lower-tier programs. Public versus private institution and geographic region varied across tiers but were not statistically significant. Accreditation status, 5-year Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination pass rates, and student attrition rates were similar across all tiers.
Discussion:
Program age and academic health center affiliation were the only characteristics that significantly differed across ranking tiers. Outcomes data were similar across all tiers, reinforcing concerns that USNWR rankings may reflect visibility and reputation rather than educational quality.
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