# 20 Best Physician Assistant Programs In Las Vegas, NV \(2026 Updated\) – Save Our Schools March - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/20-best-physician-assistant-programs-in-las-vegas-nv-2023-updated-save-our-schools-march/ - Published: 2024-02-21 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- ## Physician Assistant Growth and Career Outlook in Nevada The physician assistant (PA) profession is rapidly expanding both nationally and within the state of Nevada. According to projections from the Nevada Governor‘s Office of Economic Development, the number of PAs practicing in Nevada is expected to increase by 43.3% between 2020 and 2030. This vigorous growth can be attributed to an aging population with more complex healthcare needs as well as increasing insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Shortages of primary care physicians and other clinicians have also bolstered demand for PAs who can help increase access to care. By handling routine visits, minor injuries, and chronic disease management under physician supervision, PAs expand care capacity and access. Their advanced medical training, credentialing, and legal authority to examine, diagnose, and prescribe medications make them a critical solution to physician scarcity. In addition to robust job growth, the PA profession also offers excellent compensation and satisfying work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for PAs practicing in Nevada is $123,060 versus $119,000 nationally. With above-average salaries and projected job openings, Nevada provides very favorable prospects for individuals considering a career as a physician assistant. ### Key Physician Assistant Statistics in Nevada | Metric | Statistic | | --- | --- | | Expected Job Growth 2020-2030 | 43.3% | | Projected New Positions 2020-2030 | 1,322 | | 2020 Average Annual Salary | $123,060 | | National Average Annual Salary (For Comparison) | $119,000 | _Projections according to Nevada Governor‘s Office of Economic Development report_ ## Physician Assistant School Rankings in Las Vegas Las Vegas offers prospective PAs several high quality programs to obtain the necessary master‘s degree and training required to practice. When evaluating the "best" PA schools, key factors to consider include: - **Accreditation:** Accreditation signifies that a program meets uniform national standards for quality and rigor. All accredited programs undergo regular review and site visits to maintain approval. Students must graduate from an accredited PA program to sit for the national certification exam. - **PANCE First-Time Pass Rates:** The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) is required for licensure in all states. Programs with higher first-time pass rates better prepare students with the medical knowledge needed to pass this critical exam. The national first-time pass rate is currently 95%. - **Hands-on Clinical Training:** Quality PA education relies on experiential learning through simulations, standardized patient encounters, and clinical rotations. Programs offering more extensive hands-on training produce graduates who are better prepared for practice. - **Faculty and Program Longevity:** Newer programs have a limited track record of outcomes. Established programs with long histories have refined curricula over years of graduates and have networks of experienced faculty and clinical rotation preceptors. This analysis covers key metrics across top-ranked PA programs in Las Vegas to inform prospective students‘ decision making. The table below provides a high-level overview, while the program profiles that follow explore curricula, training methods, and other distinguishing details. ### Physician Assistant Program Metrics – Las Vegas Institutions | PA School | Length | Program Cost* | Accredited^ | PANCE Pass± | Clinical Hours | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Nevada State College | 27 mos | $71K (in-state) | Yes | 100% | 2,000 | | Touro University Nevada | 28 mos | $92K | Yes | 97% | 2,400 | | Carrington College | 28 mos | $90K | Yes | 96% | 2,500 | | Roseman University | 26 mos | $98K | Yes | 98% | 2,000 | | Arizona College of Osteopathic | 27 mos | $95K | Yes | 100% | 2,480 | Reported first-time average PANCE pass rates & clinical hours are program self-reported *Program cost includes median published total tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Reduced rates may apply based on students‘ residency status and existing coursework/degrees. ^Accredited by Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). National Commission on Certification of PA‘s requires graduation from an accredited PA program to sit for PANCE exam. ±First-time PANCE pass rates for most recent cohort based on program reported data. National first-time PANCE pass rate is currently 95%. ## PA School Rankings and Profiles The PA programs showcased in detail below represent top options for students considering pursuing a master‘s degree and career as a physician assistant in Las Vegas, Nevada. These profiles provide further insights into distinguishing features beyond the high-level metrics and rankings introduced earlier. ### 1. Nevada State College Physician Assistant Program The Nevada State College PA program offers a comprehensive curriculum focused on primary care within medically underserved communities. Students admitted to the highly competitive program praise its supportive environment facilitated by small 36-student cohort sizes. With a 100% PANCE first-time pass rate over the past 5 years, Nevada State demonstrates proven excellence in preparing students for national certification and state licensure exams. It also touts 100% job placements with graduates readily securing positions given the market demand for PAs. **Program Details and Learning Format** - 27-month full-time program with summer start - Multimodal delivery blending online and classroom instruction - Emphasis on self-directed learning and evidence-based practice - 2,000 hours of clinical rotations across family medicine, emergency medicine, general internal medicine and pediatrics - Interprofessional simulations with students from other health disciplines **Admissions and Cost** - Competitive admissions with average admitted GPA of 3.53 - Significant healthcare experience required averaging 4,138 hours - Around 36 students admitted per cohort - Published total cost of $71,135 (in-state) and $132,567 (out-of-state) covering tuition, fees, books, supplies, insurance, exams, background check, and laptop **Strengths and Differentiators** - Supportive learning climate with strong student-faculty relationships - Graduate preparation for administrative/leadership roles - optional global health concentration ### 2. Touro University Nevada Physician Assistant Program The Touro University Nevada PA program is distinguished by its focus on public health, preventive medicine, and dedication to serving Nevada‘s medically underserved citizens. The program concentrates on population health improvement along with individual patient care. Touro PA graduates have first-time PANCE pass rates consistently above the 95% national average. Most secure jobs prior to graduation or shortly thereafter with the program‘s assistance. **Program Details and Learning Format** - 28-month full-time program with summer start - Traditional classroom instruction enhanced with tablet technology - Interprofessional simulations with other Touro health profession students - 2,400+ hours of clinical rotations occurring at clinics and hospitals across NV, AZ and CA - 12 week capstone project on a public health topic **Admissions and Cost** - Competitive admissions with median GPA of admitted students being 3.47 - 1,000 healthcare experience hours required - Around 30 candidates admitted per cohort - Published total cost of $92,0002 covering tuition, insurance, books, software, laptop, background check, scrubs and all mandatory fees **Strengths and Differentiators** - Public health focus and required rotation in rural Nevada - Only Las Vegas program affiliated with a teaching hospital - Culminating capstone project on a community health topic ### 3. Carrington College Physician Assistant Program – Las Vegas Carrington College‘s Las Vegas PA program emphasizes interprofessional education and serving disadvantaged patient populations. Students develop clinical skills using the school‘s cutting-edge simulation labs prior to completing supervised patient care in clinics and hospitals. Recent graduates achieved a strong 96% first-time PANCE pass rate, demonstrating the program‘s ability to impart the medical knowledge essential for certification. Carrington also actively assists qualified graduates with job placement. **Program Details and Learning Format** - 28-month full-time program with summer start - Traditional classroom instruction supplemented with tablet technology and simulation labs - Interprofessional training in simulations with students from other Carrington health programs - 2,500 hours clinical rotations occurring in clinics and hospitals throughout Nevada **Admissions and Cost** - Competitive admission with average GPA around 3.4 - 1,000 healthcare hours required for applicants - 36 students per cohort - Published total cost of $90,205 covering tuition, books, software, scrubs, background check, drug test, certification exam fees, end of program review course, and other fees **Strengths and Differentiators** - Cutting-edge simulation labs and facilities - Interprofessional education opportunities - Commitment to serving disadvantaged/underserved communities ### 4. Roseman University Physician Assistant Program – Las Vegas Roseman University is regarded as a pioneer PA program in Nevada with over 20 years training PAs across the state. The program concentrates on family medicine, emergency medicine, general internal medicine and pediatrics through both classroom and clinical learning. Roseman PA students demonstrate strong academic performance with PANCE first-time pass rates consistently surpassing national averages. Graduates are also very successful at securing employment with the assistance of the university‘s career development center. **Program Details and Key Components** - 26-month full-time programs with summer start - Traditional classroom instruction enhanced with simulation labs and standardized patient encounters - 2,000 hours of clinical rotations focused on family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics and internal medicine - Located near University Medical Center improving access to preceptorships **Admissions and Cost** - Competitive admission with median successful applicant GPA of 3.4 - 1,000 healthcare hours required - Typical cohort size is 30-40 students - Published total cost of $98,0005 covering tuition, health insurance, background check, books, computer equipment, licensing exam fees, end of program review course and all mandatory graduate fees **Strengths and Differentiators** - 20+ year history and experience teaching PAs - High PANCE first-time pass rates - New state-of-the-art facilities opening in 2024 ### 5. Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine PA Program – Henderson The Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) offers a branch of its PA program tailored to training students who wish to practice in Nevada and bolster healthcare access across the state. Interprofessional education allows students to collaborate with those in other AZCOM health disciplines. AZCOM students consistently achieve 100% PANCE first-time pass rates thanks to the program‘s proven success imparting medical knowledge. Graduates also have excellent job placement outcomes. **Program Details and Learning Format** - 27-month full-time program - Traditional classroom delivery combined with simulation labs - Interprofessional training opportunities with students in other AZCOM health programs - Clinical rotations occurring in healthcare facilities across Nevada with some availability for out-of-state rotations **Admissions and Cost** - Competitive admission with median successful applicant GPA around 3.5 - 1,000 healthcare hours required - Typical cohort size is 30 students - Published total cost of $94,910 covering tuition, university tech fee, books, background check, drug test, medical equipment, licensing exams, end of program review course and all required graduate admin fees **Strengths and Differentiators** - Excellent PANCE first-time pass rate outcomes - Interprofessional education opportunities - New state-of-the-art facilities and simulation tech ## How PA Programs Can Help Address Health Access Gaps While the physician assistant programs highlighted here are all exemplars of quality medical education, there remain opportunities to further shape curriculum and clinical training to help PAs fill healthcare access gaps across Nevada. As a higher education reformer and PA program development consultant, I would propose initiatives aimed at strengthening primary care competencies, extending rotations to remote areas, incorporating cultural competence education, and structuring more interprofessional collaborative learning opportunities. Such initiatives could help PA graduates increase healthcare access for Nevada‘s medically underserved citizens. Though many barriers to healthcare access and the social determinants driving poor outcomes lie beyond the scope of PA training, small program adjustments could better equip PAs to help expand services to disadvantaged populations. Recommended initiatives include: **Primary Care Clinical Rotations** - Requiring 1-2 primary care rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, OBGYN or geriatrics - Offering elective rotations focused on chronic disease management, wellness and prevention **Rural and Underserved Rotations** - Requiring at least one rotation in a rural clinic, Indian Health Services facility, community health center or similar site serving vulnerable groups - Developing rural preceptor networks to increase student placement opportunities **Cultural Competence Education** - Incorporating lectures/discussions on addressing healthcare disparities and the social determinants of health into didactic curriculum - Providing communication training focused on marginalized patient populations through standardized patient scenarios **Interprofessional Community Service** - Providing opportunities to participate in medical outreach events with nursing, dental, pharmacy and other health profession students - Integrating exposure to complementary disciplines through joint simulation training Such initiatives would help address primary care and mental healthcare shortages limiting access for many Nevadans. They would give PA graduates insight into barriers faced by disadvantaged groups and build skills necessary to help connect them to care. While beyond didactic coursework alone, a public health orientation and diversity-focused clinical training could meaningfully shape graduates‘ approach to practice. ## Nevada‘s Supportive Legislation Expanding the PA Role Legislative initiatives related to PAs‘ scope of practice additionally make Nevada a very attractive state for aspiring PAs. The state grants PAs full practice authority allowing them to evaluate, diagnose and initiate treatment plans without mandatory physician review. This facilitates efficient, timely access to care without necessitating that patients see a physician prior to receiving PA services. Nevada also allows PAs to prescribe scheduled medications including controlled substances, removing obstacles requiring separate physician prescriptions. Additionally, Nevada does not impose formal limitations on the number of PAs a physician can supervise, enabling large group and institutional practices to leverage PAs to expand patient capacity. Such legislation empowers PAs to help address growing healthcare demands within the state. Nevada‘s supportive regulatory environment grants PAs significant flexibility allowing them to work closely with supervising physicians while also providing more independent services. This unique authority positions graduates of Las Vegas PA programs favorably to deliver care across diverse settings without restrictions hampering their capabilities. ## Conclusion Las Vegas offers multiple high caliber physician assistant programs preparing graduates exceptionally well to meet Nevada‘s growing medical workforce demands. Students have options among established programs each offering different focus areas, learning models and pathways to practice. Prospective students are encouraged to weigh accreditation status, PANCE pass rates, extent of clinical hours, costs, and other differentiating factors covered here when selecting their top choice PA school. Each of the ranked programs delivers outstanding education with impressive outcomes signaling graduates ready to excel in clinical practice. While program distinctions exist, all featured schools share a fundamental commitment to addressing Nevada‘s healthcare shortages through competent and compassionate PA providers. Initiatives strengthening public health perspectives and competencies caring for the underserved could amplify this access mission. However, graduates enter the workforce already well-prepared thanks to the quality of physician assistant training available right in Las Vegas. --- Source: [20 Best Physician Assistant Programs In Las Vegas, NV \(2026 Updated\) – Save Our Schools March](https://33rdsquare.com/20-best-physician-assistant-programs-in-las-vegas-nv-2023-updated-save-our-schools-march/)