• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

The Physician Assistant Life

The Physician Assistant Life: The Ultimate Resource for All Things PA

How Can We Help? Essays Interviews Consulting Community 😀

Purchase a RevisionResume/CV Cover Letter

  • Start
    • Services
      • Personal Statement Rewriting and Revision
        • Client testimonials
      • Pre-PA Consulting and Advising
      • Mock PA School Interviews
        • Client testimonials
      • Resume/Cover Letter Writing and Revision
      • LinkedIn Profile Writing and Editing Service for PAs
      • PANCE/PANRE Board Review
      • Perfect Program Picker
  • Interviews
    • The Top 46 PA School Applicant Interview Questions
  • Essay Help
    • Personal Statement Revision Service
      • Client Testimonials
    • Supplemental Essay Editing
    • 31 Sample Essays
      • Personal Statement Workshop
    • How to Write Your PA Personal Statement Book
    • 101 PA School Essays Book
    • Personal Statement Starter Kit
  • Resumes
    • PA Resume/CV Revision Service
    • Downloadable PA Resume Templates
    • Downloadable Recommendation Letter Templates
  • Consulting
  • PANCE/PANRE
    • Free Exams
      • FREE PANCE/ PANRE Podcast
      • FREE Daily PANCE Email Series
    • SMARTY PANCE
      • Genitourinary Blueprint Course
      • More Courses
      • Neurology Blueprint Course
      • Endocrinology Blueprint Course
      • Psychiatry Blueprint Course
      • Hematology Blueprint Course
      • Infectious Disease Blueprint Course
      • Cardiology Blueprint Course
      • Pulmonology Blueprint Course
      • GI and Nutrition Blueprint Course
      • Musculoskeletal Blueprint Course
      • EENT Blueprint Course
      • Dermatology Blueprint Course
      • Reproductive Blueprint Course
    • Sign Up
    • The Audio PANCE & PANRE Podcast
    • Topic Specific Exams
      • Endocrinology
      • More
      • Psychiatry
      • Neurology
      • Dermatology
      • Hematology
      • Cardiology
      • Pulmonology
      • Musculoskeletal
      • Reproductive
      • GI and Nutrition
      • EENT
    • 225 Question Exams
      • Exam 1
      • Exam 2
      • Exam 3
      • Exam 4
      • Exam 5
    • Academy Exams
      • Exam 1
      • Exam 2
      • Exam 3
      • Exam 4
    • The Virtual PANCE and PANRE Home
      • Virtual PANCE Testing Room
        • Virtual PANRE Testing Room
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 1
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 2
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 3
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 4
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 5
    • Daily Email Series Exams
      • Exam 1
      • Exam 2
      • Exam 3
      • Exam 4
      • Final Exam
    • Legacy Exams
    • End of Rotation Exams
      • General Surgery End of Roatation Exam
      • Emergency Medicine End or Rotation Exam 1
      • Emergency Medicine End of Rotation Exam 2
      • Pediatrics End of Rotation Exam
      • Women’s Health End of Rotation Exam
      • Family Practice End of Rotation Exam
    • Your Exam Progress
  • Downloads
    • The Ultimate PA Job Application Bundle
      • Practicing PA Resume and CV Template
      • New Graduate PA Resume Template
      • PA School Applicant and Pre-PA Resume Template
      • PA Cover Letter and Thank You Follow Up Templates
    • PA Recommendation Letter Templates
    • Expert Panel Audiobook
    • The Expert Panel Workbook
  • Best Books
    • The Best Gear
    • The Best Apps
    • Gift Guide
  • Blog
    • Content archive
You are here: Home / Pre-Physician Assistant / Physician Assistant Programs and Research / PA School Ranking by PANCE Pass Rates

PA School Ranking by PANCE Pass Rates

March 14, 2017 By Stephen Pasquini PA-C 29 Comments

PA Program Ranking by Five Year PANCE Pass Rates

Since 1998 US News has been publishing the only known ranking of PA programs.

Their rankings are based on subjective peer assessment surveys of PA program faculty.

These peer assessment surveys are sent to deans, other administrators, and faculty at accredited physician assistant programs.

Respondents rate the academic quality of physician assistant programs on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). They are instructed to select "don't know" if they did not have enough knowledge to rate a program.

Only fully accredited programs in good standing during the survey period are ranked. Those schools with the highest average scores appear in the rankings.

US News and World Reports ranked 154 of the 238 PA programs in the United States, leaving out 84 US PA programs.

At the time of this writing, there are 22 developing and non-accredited PA programs which means the US News rankings leave many PA schools in the dust.

A Broken PA School Ranking Model

US News ranks schools based solely on the results of a subjective survey without providing evidence for their validity. Not to mention, how much does a PA school's departmental faculty really know about other PA programs? Could their opinions be biased?

A useful ranking system should be “measurable, reproducible, and not opinion-based.

The current approach to PA school ranking is outdated and provides little to no value for pre-PAs making critical application decisions.

A Better Physician Assistant School Ranking System

When surveyed 79% of PA school faculty agree that that 5-year PANCE pass rates should be used as a ranking criterion for PA schools.Click To Tweet

Multiple studies use a school’s first-time PANCE pass rate as a standardization tool to evaluate other program characteristics, such as degree granted upon completion, class size, and curriculum length.

Objectively, PAs that scored higher on the PANCE tended to have scored higher on the Physician Assistant National Recertification Examination (PANRE).

Not to mention, to practice as a PA you must first pass your PANCE, so in this regards it should not be taken lightly when you are considering where to invest your 100+ thousand dollars of PA school tuition.

Top 30 PA Programs With Five Year PANCE Pass Rates

PA Schools Ranked by 5-year PANCE Pass Rates

Below is an interactive table of all US physician assistant programs ranked by 5-year PANCE pass rates.

I contacted the NCCPA who surprisingly does not make this information available to the public, so we have to rely solely on a PA school's willingness to publish their individual PANCE pass rates.

The data in this table is based on what PA schools choose to publish.

I have provided links to these publications along with links to the PA program websites in the table below.

We tried to use 5-year data whenever possible. Many newer programs (for obvious reasons) do not have 5-year data and some schools, if they do, have chosen not to make this information readily available or just haven't updated their reporting.

This is an interactive table which you can search (using the provided search box) or reorganize in real-time by clicking on the column header.

Please share this post and let's work together to create a  better, unbiased, objective, fair and useful ranking system!

Physician Assistant Programs Ranked by PANCE Pass Rates

wdt_ID PA SCHOOL STATE 5YR PANCE DATA SCHOOL
1 Baldwin Wallace University Physician Assistant Program ohio 100
2 University of St. Francis Physician Assistant Program new-mexico 98
3 University of Texas - HS Center at San Antonio Physician Assistant Program texas 100
4 UT Southwestern Physician Assistant Program texas 100
5 University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne) Physician Assistant Program indiana 99
6 University of Missouri - Kansas City Physician Assistant Program missouri 98
7 Arcadia University Physician Assistant Program - Pennsylvania pennsylvania 100
8 Pace University Physician Assistant Program new-york 99
9 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Physician Assistant Program wisconsin 100
12 University Of Oklahoma, Tulsa Physician Assistant Program oklahoma 100
13 University of Iowa Physician Assistant Program iowa 100
14 University of Florida Physician Assistant Program florida 99
15 Tufts University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program massachusetts 100
16 Thomas Jefferson University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 100
17 Springfield College Physician Assistant Program massachusetts 97
18 Rush University Physician Assistant Program illinois 99
19 Penn State University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 100
20 Nova Southeastern University Physician Assistant Program, Orlando florida 99
21 Mercer University Physician Assistant Program georgia 98
22 Marshall B. Ketchum University Physician Assistant Program california 100
23 Marquette University Physician Assistant Program wisconsin 100
24 Long Island University Physician Assistant Program new-york 99
25 Lake Erie College Physician Assistant Program ohio 100
26 Johnson & Wales University Physician Assistant Program rhode-island 97
27 Eastern Michigan University Physician Assistant Program michigan 100
28 East Carolina University Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 100
29 Boston University Physician Assistant Program massachusetts 100
30 Arcadia University Physician Assistant Program - Delaware Deleware 100
31 Albany Medical College Physician Assistant Program new-york 99
32 University Of North Texas HS Center Ft Worth texas 99
33 University Of Nebraska Physician Assistant Program nebraska 99
34 University of Findlay Physician Assistant Program ohio 99
35 Southern Illinois University Physician Assistant Program illinois 99
36 Shenandoah University Physician Assistant Program virginia 99
37 Seton Hall University Physician Assistant Program new-jersey 99
38 Saint Louis University Physician Assistant Program missouri 99
39 Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program (Downers Grove) illinois 99
40 Louisiana State University Physician Assistant Program - Shreveport louisiana 99
41 Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant Program michigan 99
42 Desales University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 99
43 Augsburg College Physician Assistant Program minnesota 99
44 Rutgers University Physician Assistant Program new-jersey 98
45 Bethel University (Minnesota) Physician Assistant Program minnesota 98
46 MCPHS Physician Assistant Program (Manchester) New Hampshire new-hampshire 98
47 Wayne State University Physician Assistant Program michigan 99
48 University of Texas - Medical Branch at Galveston Physician Assistant Program texas 98
49 University of Detroit/Mercy Physician Assistant Program michigan 98
50 University of Colorado Physician Assistant Program colorado 98
51 Touro University Physician Assistant Program (California) california 98
52 Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program arizona 98
53 Northwestern University Physician Assistant Program illinois 98
54 Saint Catherine University Physician Assistant Program minnesota 99
55 Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Program connecticut 98
56 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 98
57 Oregon Health & Science University Physician Assistant Program oregon 98
58 Ohio Dominican University Physician Assistant Program ohio 98
59 Nova Southeastern University Physician Assistant Program, Ft. Lauderdale florida 98
60 Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program (Glendale) arizona 98
61 Methodist University Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 98
62 Hofstra University Physician Assistant Program new-york 98
63 Daemen College Physician Assistant Program new-york 98
64 Baylor College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program texas 98
65 Yale University School of Medicine Physician Associate Program connecticut 98
66 Butler University Physician Assistant Program indiana 98
67 Anne Arundel Community College Physician Assistant Program maryland 97
68 Chatham University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 97
69 Wichita State University Physician Assistant Program kansas 99
70 Wake Forest University (Bowman Gray) Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 97
71 University of Wisconsin - Madison Physician Assistant Program wisconsin 97
72 University of California-Davis Physician Assistant Program california 97
73 Touro College (Bay Shore) Physician Assistant Program new-york 97
74 Stony Brook University Physician Assistant Program new-york 97
75 Saint Francis University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 97
76 Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine Physician Assistant Program illinois 97
77 Rocky Mountain College Physician Assistant Program montana 98
78 Pacific University Physician Assistant Program oregon 97
79 Northeastern University Physician Assistant Program massachusetts 97
80 King's College Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 99
81 Interservice Physician Assistant Program texas 97
82 Elon University Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 97
83 Drexel University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 97
84 Des Moines University Physician Assistant Program iowa 97
85 Carroll University Physician Assistant Program wisconsin 97
86 University of South Carolina School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program south-carolina 0
87 University of Washington MEDEX Physician Assistant Program washington 96
88 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Physician Assistant Program texas 98
89 Clarkson University Physician Assistant Program new-york 96
90 Wingate University Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 99
91 University of Southern California Physician Assistant Program california 96
92 University Of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Physician Assistant Program oklahoma 96
93 University of New Mexico Physician Assistant Program new-mexico 96
94 University of Mount Union Physician Assistant Program ohio 96
95 University of Alabama at Birmingham Physician Assistant Program alabama 96
96 Seton Hill University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 96
97 Medical University of South Carolina Physician Assistant Program south-carolina 96
98 Lock Haven University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 97
99 Augusta University (formerly Georgia-Regents University) Physician Assistant Program georgia 96
100 Eastern Virginia Medical School Physician Assistant Program virginia 96
101 Duke University Medical Center Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 96
102 Emory University Physician Assistant Program georgia 95
103 Jefferson College of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program virginia 97
104 South University Physician Assistant Program (West Palm Beach) florida 95
105 University of Toledo Physician Assistant Program ohio 95
106 Trevecca Nazarene University Physician Assistant Program tennessee 95
107 Towson University CCBC - Essex Physician Assistant Program maryland 95
108 South University Physician Assistant Program (Tampa) florida 95
109 South University (Georgia) Physician Assistant Program georgia 95
110 Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant Program california 95
111 MCPHS University Physician Assistant Program (Boston) massachusetts 97
112 Loma Linda University Physician Assistant Program california 94
113 Idaho State University Physician Assistant Program idaho 95
114 George Washington University Physician Assistant Program district-of-columbia 95
115 Duquesne University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 95
116 Central Michigan University Physician Assistant Program michigan 95
117 Nova Southeastern University, Fort Myers Physician Assistant Program florida 94
118 Philadelphia University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 94
119 Bethel University Physician Assistant Program (Tennessee) tennessee 94
120 West Liberty University Physician Assistant Program west virginia 94
121 Wagner College Physician Assistant Program new-york 94
122 University of New England Physician Assistant Program maine 94
123 University of Charleston Physician Assistant Program west virginia 94
124 New York Institute of Technology Physician Assistant Program new-york 98
125 Missouri State University Physician Assistant Program missouri 95
126 Marietta College Physician Assistant Program ohio 94
127 Le Moyne College Physician Assistant Program new-york 97
128 Kettering College Physician Assistant Program ohio 99
129 James Madison University Physician Assistant Program virginia 98
130 Campbell University Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 94
131 Louisiana State University Physician Assistant Program - New Orleans louisiana 94
132 MCPHS University Physician Assistant Program (Manchester) new-hampshire 93
133 MCPHS University Physician Assistant Program (Worcester) Massachusetts massachusetts 93
134 University of Utah Physician Assistant Program utah 93
135 University of South Dakota Physician Assistant Program south-dakota 93
136 Touro College (Manhattan) Physician Assistant Program new-york 93
137 SUNY Upstate Medical Center Physician Assistant Program new-york 93
138 South College Physician Assistant Program tennessee 93
139 Salus University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 96
140 Rochester Institute of Technology Physician Assistant Program new-york 93
141 Mississippi College Physician Assistant Program mississippi 93
142 Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Physician Assistant Program indiana 96
143 Harding University Physician Assistant Program arkansas 97
144 Gannon University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 93
145 Red Rocks Community College Physician Assistant Program colorado 93
146 Arizona School Of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program arizona 92
147 Touro University Nevada Physician Assistant Program nevada 93
148 University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis) Physician Assistant Program tennessee 92
149 University of South Alabama Physician Assistant Program alabama 92
150 Touro University (Las Vegas) Physician Assistant Program nevada 92
151 CCNY Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education Physician Assistant Program new-york 92
152 Barry University Physician Assistant Program florida 92
153 Sullivan University Physician Assistant Program kentucky 91
154 Gardner Webb University Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 91
155 University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 92
156 University of Arkansas Physician Assistant Program arkansas 93
157 Union College Physician Assistant Program nebraska 91
158 Stanford University Physician Assistant Program california 91
159 Lincoln Memorial University Physician Assistant Program tennessee 91
160 Franklin Pierce University Physician Assistant Program new-hampshire 91
161 Bay Path University Physician Assistant Program massachusetts 91
162 Cornell University Physician Assistant Program new-york 97
163 Concordia University Physician Assistant Program wisconsin 95
164 Western University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program california 95
165 Nova Southeastern University Physician Assistant Program, Jacksonville florida 90
166 Marywood University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 90
167 Indiana State University Physician Assistant Program indiana 90
168 Western Michigan University Physician Assistant Program michigan 91
169 University of North Dakota Physician Assistant Program north-dakota 89
170 University of Kentucky Physician Assistant Program kentucky 94
171 SUNY Downstate Medical Center Physician Assistant Program new-york 89
172 University of Bridgeport Physician Assistant Program connecticut 88
173 D'youville College Physician Assistant Program new-york 95
174 Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University louisiana 93
175 CUNY York College Physician Assistant Program new-york 87
176 Cuyahoga Community College Cleveland State University Physician Assistant Program ohio 87
177 Pennsylvania College of Technology Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 87
178 Howard University Physician Assistant Program district-of-columbia 87
179 Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 86
180 Miami-Dade College Physician Assistant Program florida 86
181 St. John's University Physician Assistant Program new-york 85
182 Keiser University Physician Assistant Program florida 92
183 Mercy College Physician Assistant Program new-york 84
185 University of Texas - Pan American Physician Assistant Program texas 79
187 Christian Brothers University Physician Assistant Program tennessee 95
190 University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program florida 0
191 University of Nevada Reno Physician Assistant Program nevada 97
192 University of La Verne Physician Assistant Program california 0
193 University of Evansville Physician Assistant Program indiana 0
194 Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 0
195 North Greenville University Physician Assistant Program south-carolina 0
196 Milligan College Physician Assistant Program tennessee 0
197 Marist College Physician Assistant Program new-york 0
198 Hardin-Simmons University Physician Assistant Program texas 0
199 Florida Gulf Coast University Physician Assistant Program florida 0
200 Emory & Henry College Physician Assistant Program virginia 0
201 College of Saint Mary Physician Assistant Program nebraska 0
202 California Baptist University california 0
203 University of the Pacific Physician Assistant Program california 0
204 Southern California University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program california 0
205 Ohio University Physician Assistant Program ohio 0
206 High Point University Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 0
207 Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine pennsylvania 0
208 Stephens College Physician Assistant Program missouri 0
209 Slippery Rock University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 0
210 Sacred Heart University Physician Assistant Program connecticut 0
211 Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program utah 0
212 Northeastern Statue University Physician Assistant Program - Oklahoma oklahoma 0
213 Mount St. Joseph University Physician Assistant Program ohio 0
215 Monmouth University Physician Assistant Program new-jersey 0
216 MGH Institute of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program massachusetts 0
217 Mercyhurst University Physician Assistant Program pennsylvania 0
218 Mary Baldwin College Physician Assistant Program virginia 100
220 Lenoir-Rhyne University Physician Assistant Program north-carolina 98
221 Kean University Physician Assistant Program new-jersey 0
222 Franklin College Physician Assistant Program indiana 0
223 Francis Marion University Physician Assistant Program south-carolina 78
224 Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program florida 0
225 Dominican University of California Physician Assistant Program california 0
226 College of Saint Scholastica Physician Assistant Program minnesota 0
227 College of Saint Joseph Physician Assistant Program vermont 0
228 Charles R. Drew University Physician Assistant Program california 0
229 Chapman University Physician Assistant Program (California) california 0
230 Case Western Reserve University Physician Assistant Program ohio 0
231 University of the Cumberlands Physician Assistant Program kentucky 0
232 University of Saint Joseph Physician Assistant Program connecticut 0
233 University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Physician Assistant Program north carolina 0
234 University of Incarnate Word Physician Assistant Program texas 0
235 University of Dubuque Physician Assistant Program iowa 0
236 Trine University Physician Assistant Program indiana 0
237 Adventist University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program florida 0
238 Bryant University Physician Assistant Program rhode-island 98
239 University of Dayton Physician Assistant Program ohio 0
240 St. Ambrose University Physician Assistant Program iowa 0
241 Lynchburg College Physician Assistant Program virginia 97
245 Heritage University Physician Assistant Program washington 82
246 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley texas 89
247 Alderson Broaddus University west virginia 94
248 Pfeiffer University north carolina 0
PA SCHOOL STATE 5YR PANCE DATA SCHOOL

Share the love!

If this article was helpful, please share this on Facebook or your favorite social network.

If you have any questions or updated data to provide, please feel free to drop me a line or leave a comment below.

You may also like -

  • The Perfect PA Program Picker: PA School Search, Sort, Match, and ApplyThe Perfect PA Program Picker: PA School Search, Sort, Match, and Apply The 2022-2023 PA School Admissions and Requirements Table Search and sort through all accredited and developing PA school programs by healthcare experience, resident and non-resident PA school tuition, PA program duration, GRE […]
  • Welcome to Your Virtual PA School Clinical RotationWelcome to Your Virtual PA School Clinical Rotation What if you could take a virtual tour through the NCCPA Content Blueprint? Not just mindless memorization of key terms and test-worthy pearls but matching those facts with faces. What if you could go bedside and visit patients […]
  • Physician Assistant Postgraduate Residency and Fellowship Programs: The Ultimate GuidePhysician Assistant Postgraduate Residency and Fellowship Programs: The Ultimate Guide Postgraduate PA School Residency and Fellowship Programs As a new or even experienced PA, it is normal to feel uncomfortable with the thought of jumping into a medical specialty. Often, we have had little more than […]
Share1K
Pin118
Share37
Reddit22
Tweet5
Email
2K Shares

Download Your FREE 300 PA School Interview Questions and Answers Workbook

Sign up below to receive your free 65 page 300 PA school interview questions and answers workbook.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

CASPA Personal Statement Help

We offer comprehensive, start-to-finish personal statement assistance or help to perfect a draft you already have. We have services to fit every budget.

Personal Statement Editing

Schedule a Live Recorded PA School Video Interview

We offer 60-minute mock PA school interviews with post-interview feedback and advice. Includes a recorded video of your interview that you can watch, download, or share with family and friends. There is no better way to prepare!

Schedule an Interview

Pre-PA Consulting and Advising

Jennifer Crozier PA-COur pre-PA coaching service consists of a 1-hour phone consultation focused on addressing your specific questions or concerns about becoming a PA and applying to PA school.

PPre-PA Consulting and Advising

Download Your Free Copy of the How to Write Your PA School Essay Workbook

We created a free workbook to help you craft a personal statement that the admissions directors will be dying to read. Tell us where to send your free copy.

About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

Stephen has been a family practice PA since 2004 and is the creator of The PA Life and Smarty PANCE Board Review websites. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA Program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one-of-a-kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all, and foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

Previous Post: « Episode 47: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Board Review Podcast – Comprehensive Audio Quiz
Next Post: Finding a Physician Assistant Mentor: The Foolproof PA Shadowing Guide »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janice Smith says

    August 12, 2021 at 10:28 am

    Just a couple of thoughts. PANTs rate if not a five year rate – do you think those schools should be listed on different list? And on your top list of PA schools – some of the ratings rate these newer schools really high even though their pants rate was not that high. Also what about first time PANTS passing rates?

    Finally I noticed that some of the schools are changing the Physician Assistant to Physician Associate? Why? And is this consistent with new licenses?

    Reply
  2. Rita Rienzo says

    November 9, 2020 at 6:13 am

    Please correct the name of the “Yale University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program” to the “Yale University School of Medicine Physician Associate Program”, not to be confused with the Yale School of Medicine Physician Assistant Online Program, which is also part of the Yale School of Medicine but distinct from the traditional on-campus program.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      November 24, 2020 at 9:37 pm

      Thank you, Rita, for pointing this out. I have updated the table on the website. I notice that the PANCE pass rates are no longer linking to the correct document on the Yale website. Do you have a link to the published 5- year PANCE pass rates? Thanks!

      Stephen Pasquini PA-C

      Reply
  3. Gary Tooley DHSc, PA-C says

    June 17, 2020 at 10:21 am

    Your data on Christian Brothers University is outdated. 1) Our first time PANCE pass rate in 2017 was 95%. 2) We’ve undergone an entire overhaul of our program after voluntarily withdrawing our provisional accreditation (in 2017) and restarting in 2018. We are again a provisionally accredited program and there are no PANCE scores for this new program as of yet. Kindly pull down the data from the old program.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      October 11, 2020 at 3:26 pm

      Thanks! I have updated the data table and the link to your most recent data.

      Reply
  4. jean covino says

    October 17, 2019 at 6:26 am

    Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital- NYC 5 year Pass rate is 99% not 100%. It is important to state accurate facts.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      October 19, 2019 at 7:22 am

      Thank’s Jean! I have updated the table to reflect the change in 5 year PANCE pass rates.
      Stephen

      Reply
  5. Mike estes says

    May 11, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    Is there a criteria being put on probation based on percentage of students that pass the pance? I heard Emory pance pass rate for recent class (on the new test format / early 2019) was less than 85? Or 80% and that will / did put them on probation, it just hasn’t been announced?

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      May 16, 2019 at 11:23 pm

      Yes, the word on the street is that the NCCPA will be increasing the difficulty of the PANCE exam and has claimed that this will result in a decrease first-time PANCE pass rate. I am not sure how valid this statement is and I have been unable to find an official statement from the NCCPA in this regard. Considering the 98% PANCE pass rate in the year prior I would suspect that there would be a decline in the pass rate in the coming year just based on statistics. Having worked extensively with the new and the old blueprint I believe the “new” 2019 blueprint is better balanced but in essence, the material is about the same it has just been shifted around a bit, reorganized and weighted a bit differently. That being said, I can’t imagine the NCCPA wanting to intentionally see more new graduates fail the exam. Maybe they are concerned that too high of a pass rate (for example 98%) makes the exam seem “soft” but maybe the truth is we PAs are all just badasses!!! 🙂

      Stephen

      Reply
  6. Jerry Erickson says

    March 14, 2019 at 4:14 pm

    I agree with many that the ranking system for PA schools by the US News & World Report is not an objective list. I have never really appreciated it because of the methodologies. Peer assessments can be useful if there are factual metrics included and not just subjective opinions that many view as a popularity contest. (Their methodologies state ‘deans and other administrators’ fill them out) Perhaps its time to have an “independent” review ranking system with metrics as others here have mentioned- that would actually ‘matter’ to prospective students, employers, and even the schools themselves. Things that can be given objective scores like: PANCE pass rates as you have listed (once corrected) with attrition rates, class/cohort sizes with legally allowable demographics (FERPA!) , student to faculty ratios, post graduation employment rates, COST of tuition/program, ARC-PA accreditation status, etc.- just to name a few. Deciding what ‘value’ to give each of those factors to determine a ‘rating’ score for each could be quite a challenge.
    One statement in their methodologies which was in the beginning of this article is not correct: “Only fully accredited programs in good standing during the survey period are ranked. Those schools with the highest average scores appear in the rankings.” 12 on the list are currently have probation status by ARC-PA, and 2 are provisional.

    Reply
  7. Christine Bruce says

    October 22, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    Penn State’s Second Class graduated in May. Penn State continues with 100% first-time pass rate. We have retained 99% of all matriculating students while diversifying our class with about 50% of all of our students self-disclosing a CASPA-identified disadvantage such as first generation in college, underrepresented minority, economic or educational disadvantage or veteran’s status. First-time pass rates plus actual performance on the examination is listed: http://med.psu.edu/physician-assistant/accreditation

    Reply
  8. Rebecca L Scott says

    August 23, 2017 at 5:03 am

    As proud as I am of our 100% pass rate, I would use extreme caution in ranking Programs by pass rate alone. An isolated score is a poor indicator of whether or not a PA Program is turning out highly competent medical practitioners. The PANCE measures medical knowledge and the ability to take a standardized test. How do we measure clinical skills? compassion? patient-centeredness? ability to work on an interprofessional team? professionalism? diagnostic acumen? These skills are every bit as important as passing the PANCE, and maybe more.

    I agree with the comments that this kind of table should also include items such as program size, program length, didactic versus clinical phase length, distances students must travel for clinical rotations, student attrition, on-time graduation rate, faculty turnover, Program Director turnover.

    Finally, what about efforts to make the PA workforce better reflect the populations we serve? Many of our collective admission criteria preclude students who have had fewer of the educational advantages that most PA applicants have, yet would be wonderful practitioners if given a chance and sufficient support. I, personally, would rather go to a PA program with a slightly lower first-time pass rate and a high degree of commitment to the training of a more diverse work force.

    Reply
  9. Rebecca L Scott says

    August 23, 2017 at 4:38 am

    Every PA Program is required by the ARC-PA to post up-to-date information about its most recent 5-year pass rate on its website. (If this is not posted, one would wonder why.) You should be able to fill in the correct information in your table by visiting each Program’s website.

    BTW, Johnson and Wales Univeristy has information for *two* PA graduating classes (2016 and 2017) posted on its website: 100% pass rate on first attempt. (Not just 2016 as in Mr. Gindoff’s comments above.)

    Reply
  10. PA Student says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:22 am

    This article, while having good intentions and methodology I agree with, is SUPER misleading due to the high amount of INCORRECT data.
    The information is probably just as misleading as the US News Ranking, because you have not correctly calculated/interrupted the 5 year pass rates. e
    Really hope you change this article to contain accurate information so it can actually be useful to those who take the time to visit the page.
    Thanks (but no thanks)

    Reply
  11. Alan Gindoff says

    May 10, 2017 at 9:46 am

    Hi Stephen,

    Here is some corrected data-

    School State “Program First Time Pass Rate
    (2012-2016)
    Invalid Article Data”
    1) Baldwin Wallace University PA Program OH “incomplete 5 year data (only 2015-2016)”
    2) University of St. Francis PA Program NM
    3) University of Texas- HS Center at San Antonio PA Program TX Not 100%
    4) UT Southwestern PA Program TX
    5) University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne) PA Program IN
    6) University of Missouri- Kansas City PA Program MO “incomplete 5 year data (only 2016)”
    7) Arcadia University PA Program- Pennsylvania PA Not 100%
    8) Pace University PA Program NY Not 100%
    9) University of Wisconsin- La Crosse Pa Program WI
    10) University of the Sciences of Philadelphia PA Program PA Not 100%
    11) University of Texas- SW School of Health Professions TX
    12) University of Oklahoma, Tulsa PA Program OK “Data not up to date (2011-2015) & Not 100%”
    13) University of Iowa PA Program IA
    14) University of Florida PA Program FL Not 100%
    15) Tufts University School of Medicine PA Program MA “incomplete 5 year data (only 2015-2016)”
    16) Thomas Jefferson University PA Program PA “incomplete 5 year data (only 2016) ”
    17) Springfield College PA Program MA
    18) Rush University PA Program IL “incomplete 5 year data (only 2013-2016)”
    19) Penn State University PA Program PA “incomplete 5 year data (only 2016)”
    20) Nova Southeastern University PA Program FL Not 100%
    21) Mercer University PA Program GA Not 100% **2014= 88%**
    22) Marshall B. Ketchum University PA Program CA “incomplete 5 year data(only 2016)”
    23) Marquette University PA Program WI NOT LISTED ON WEBSITE
    24) Long Island University PA Program NY “Data not up to date(2009-2013) & Not 100%”
    25) Lake Erie College PA Program OH “incomplete 5 year data (only 2016)”
    26) Johnson & Wales University PA Program RI “incomplete 5 year data(only 2016)”
    27) Eastern Michigan University PA Program MI “NOT LISTED ON WEBSITE– listed as “”provisional”” on ARC-PA website”
    28) East Carolina University PA Program NC
    29) Boston University PA Program MA “incomplete 5 year data(only 2016)”
    30) Arcadia University PA Program- Delaware DE Not 100%

    Reply
    • John says

      April 16, 2018 at 7:40 am

      Alan,

      what is your concern with the information on UT Southwestern? They have an 11 year 1st time PANCE pass rate.

      John

      Reply
    • jean covino says

      July 10, 2019 at 6:43 am

      Stephen
      What was done was an actual average i.e.Pace is 99.6% so they rounded up to 100%

      Reply
      • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

        June 10, 2020 at 6:49 am

        Makes sense, 100% just sounds better 😉

        Reply
  12. Alan Gindoff says

    May 10, 2017 at 6:48 am

    Great relavant article – am going through your list to remove any schools from the list of 30 that don’t actually have a 5 yr 1st time pass rate of 100% and will send it to you.

    Other metircs that would be good to use are:

    1) Attrition rate – (academic, personal/medical, deceleration)

    2) cost of program

    3) Alumni job placment rates

    Are you willing to take on US new and Reports to move towards meaniful change

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      May 10, 2017 at 7:03 am

      Thank you so much, Alan, I really appreciate this. I will update the table when you send me the data or maybe include this in a note… I know many people have been requesting this.

      Reply
  13. PJ says

    May 9, 2017 at 10:21 am

    I love this idea. Unfortunately the data is not accurate, at least for my program, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, had a 100% pass rate last year (2nd class) and 92% pass rate for the first class. The aggregate then would be a 96% pass rate.

    Reply
  14. Anne Walsh says

    May 6, 2017 at 10:04 pm

    Your list of schools with 100% first-time pass rates is misleading and needs to be qualified with the following information: Date each program was accredited (or, provisionally accredited), number of students accepted per class, and number of students who took the PANCE (attrition rate). If a school is brand new, accepted 20 students in its first and only class, and graduated 17 of them, that 17/17 or “100%” pass rate is not nearly as meaningful as, say a 96% pass rate at a school that has been continuously accredited for 40 years with a class size of 60 and an attrition rate of <1%. If you really want to make your table meaningful, add for each school the % of accepted students who are educationally disadvantaged, the overall ethnic/racial diversity breakdown of the class, and the student to faculty ratio. This truly objective look would better-inform prospective PA students the "quality" of each program, if this is your intent. There are many measures students should consider when choosing a program, and while I agree the current system of peer rankings should incorporate objective data such as pass rates, peer assessment also has value. Faculty learn a great deal about each others' programs simply by working together on so many different educational projects, not to mention, as ARC-PA site visitors and mock site visitors to each others' programs, over many years' time. Think of it the same way you'd refer a patient to another specialist…how do you choose the "best" doctor if you don't happen to know one off-hand? You ask your trusted colleagues who they'd send their patients to, and your trusted colleagues are nearly always spot-on.

    Reply
  15. Josh D says

    April 23, 2017 at 7:51 am

    I think this is a flawed idea because it doesn’t take in account how many people drop out of the program before completion. You can have 100% PANCE success and have multiple students drop out of the program…

    Also, some schools take students on the idea of passing the pance and others take a more diverse cohort of people that would be less likely to pass the pance.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      April 23, 2017 at 8:37 pm

      Hi Josh,

      I agree with you that having this as the only ranking is indeed flawed, but integrating it into a more comprehensive ranking system seems like a good idea. The current US NEWS ranking is what most people refer to . . . It is definitely time we start looking at a better method. The PAEA has the resources and the means to make this happen.

      Stephen

      Reply
  16. J says

    April 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    I noticed that you have incorrectly labeled Mercer University’s program as having a 100% 5-year PANCE pass rate, while it is actually only a 95% (still good, but not 100% as noted). Cornell is listed as having only a 90% 5-year pass rate, while it is actually a 98%. These were just schools I was familiar with and spot checked, but this list may need to be more carefully gone through to ensure accuracy.

    Reply
  17. Sarah Cate says

    April 18, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    Both Thomas Jefferson and Penn State have only had 1 graduating class from their PA programs, so sayign they have a 5 year pass rate of 100% is somewhat misleading.

    Reply
  18. COPA, Inc.: College Options in the Performing Arts says

    March 15, 2017 at 6:36 pm

    Arcadia University is located in Pennsylvania, not in Delaware, as one of the charts says.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      March 19, 2017 at 6:38 pm

      THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP i WILL UPDATE IT IN THE UPCOMING UPDATE

      Reply
    • B says

      November 9, 2017 at 6:14 pm

      Arcadia University has two campuses. The main campus is in Pennsylvania but the other one is in Delaware!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Are you struggling to write your PA School Personal Statement?

We have options to fit every budget

Click Here To Get Started

Essay Review Service

  • PA School Essay Collaborative
  • 31 Sample PA School Essays

Useful Links

  • Recommended Reading
  • Support The PA Life
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pre-PA Consulting
  • LinkedIn Profile Editing
  • Essay Revision
  • Resume/CV Revision
  • Mock Interviews
  • Testimonials
  • Program Picker
  • Archive
  • About
  • Contact
  • Affiliate Portal

Copyright © 2022 The PA Life, INC • Terms & Conditions • Privacy Policy • Disclaimer • Refund Policy · Log in

Dynamic title for modals

Are you sure?

Please confirm deletion. There is no undo!