Rutgers Physician Assistant Studies is Third in U.S. News and World Report’s Graduate School Rankings

The physician assistant program at the Rutgers School of Health Professions is ranked No. 3 in the nation for 2025-26, according to U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools—the first time it has reached the top five in its 50-year history.

Recognized alongside renowned universities such as Duke and Stanford, the Rutgers physician assistant program keeps expanding, climbing past its No. 7 ranking in 2023. The upward trajectory represents the highest ranking in the program’s history.

“Being ranked nationally in the top five and recognized as the best program in New Jersey helps in recruiting the best students from across the state and country,” said Lori Palfreyman, an associate professor at the School of Health Professions and director of the physician assistant program.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the graduate schools’ rankings are based on peer assessment surveys completed by deans, other administrators or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools. U.S. News asked academic experts from more than 300 physician assistant programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission to judge the academic quality of a school’s faculty, research and students on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). Results from the survey conducted in early 2025 were released on April 8.

Shaping the Next Generation of Physician Assistants

As part of Rutgers Health, the physician assistant program is highly competitive, accepting 50 students per year from more than 1,500 applications annually. The program’s first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination is among the U.S. News and World Report’s top 20 ranked schools.

 Palfreyman added that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Rutgers program.

“As one of the longest-standing PA programs in the nation, we do not rest on our past achievements,” she said. “Our excellence comes from remaining dynamic and current through data-informed assessments and quality improvements. Innovative teaching techniques, a commitment to an inclusive environment, and strategies for student wellness are just a few ways we uphold our mission to graduate competent health care providers.”

Physician assistants are one of the fastest growing and most essential professions in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nationally certified and state-licensed, physician assistants collaborate with physicians to provide primary care and specialized services, including taking patient histories and performing physical exams, writing prescriptions and ordering diagnostic studies and outpatient therapies.

At Rutgers, physician assistant students participate in various professional organizations, interprofessional activities and service-learning opportunities, promoting educational advancements, networking and the ability to collaborate with other health care professionals.

“Through our partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest academic healthcare system, our students gain hands-on clinical experience, working in teams and honing the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom,” said Matthew McQuillan, an associate professor and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice.

McQuillan added that through the Plainfield, N.J.-based Health Outreach Practice Experience Clinic (H.O.P.E. Clinic), which provides free primary care services to uninsured adults, “students develop into socially responsible, humanistic health care providers while providing primary health care needs to underserved populations.”

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With more than 35 degrees and certificates at the graduate and undergraduate level, Rutgers School of Health Professions is the largest, most comprehensive health professions school in the nation. Degree and certificate programs are offered for both entry-level students and practicing health professionals. We are proud to say our graduates have a nearly 100% placement rate within the first three months of graduation. To learn more, visit www.shp.rutgers.edu.