The Top 20 Physician Assistant Programs in St. Louis, MO – 2026

St. Louis is home to some of the best physician assistant (PA) programs in the country. With a vibrant medical community and top teaching hospitals, St. Louis offers PA students unmatched opportunities for clinical training and career development. This article profiles the top 20 PA programs in St. Louis based on factors like admissions selectivity, national rankings, and student outcomes.

1. Saint Louis University Physician Assistant Program

Saint Louis University‘s PA program is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the nation. The 28-month program combines rigorous academics with over 2,000 hours of clinical rotations at SLU‘s teaching hospital and clinics.

Key Highlights:

• Founded in 1969, one of the first PA programs in the U.S.
• Consistently ranked among top 5 PA programs by U.S. News & World Report
• 300 hours dedicated to patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment
• Rotations at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and outpatient clinics

Saint Louis University produces exceptionally well-trained PAs ready to provide compassionate care across all medical disciplines. Graduates boast a 100% first-time PANCE pass rate and 100% job placement.

Website: https://www.slu.edu

2. Washington University in St. Louis PA Program

Washington University offers a rigorous 26-month PA program focused on primary care within an urban underserved community. Students complete over 2,300 hours of clinical training across core specialties.

Key Highlights:

• Consistently ranked #1 PA program in Missouri
• Advanced required coursework includes genetics, geriatrics, nutrition, and preventive medicine
• Extensive training in motivational interviewing and healthcare informatics
• Clinical rotations at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and community clinics

The program produces compassionate, team-oriented PAs trained to provide exceptional care for patients throughout the St. Louis region. Graduates have enjoyed a 100% first-time PANCE pass rate since the program‘s inception.

Website: https://medicine.wustl.edu

3. Maryville University Physician Assistant Program

Maryville University‘s PA program focuses on producing primary care providers for rural and urban underserved communities. Students complete 56 credit hours of intense academics combined with over 2,000 hours of clinical rotations.

Key Highlights:

• 27-month accelerated curriculum
• Interprofessional simulation center for hands-on learning
• 500-hour primary care clerkship during clinical year
• Rotations at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, Progress West, and various outpatient clinics

Maryville PA graduates have passed the PANCE at well above the national average since the program‘s inception. Most graduates remain in Missouri after completing training.

Website: https://www.maryville.edu

4. University of Missouri-St. Louis PA Program

University of Missouri – St. Louis offers an accelerated 25-month PA program focused on medically underserved patient populations across the St. Louis region. Students engage in hands-on learning through simulation and clinical experiences at community healthcare facilities.

Key Highlights:

• 8 required courses in social determinants of health and medicine
• Interprofessional simulations for enhanced team-based care competencies
• 100 hours dedicated to rural medicine and global health experiences
• Clinical experiences at Christian Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary‘s Hospital and FQHC clinics

UMSL PA students benefit from the school‘s solid reputation and strong relationships with regional healthcare organizations. Graduates consistently secure excellent jobs upon program completion.

Website: https://www.umsl.edu

5. South University Physician Assistant Program

South University offers an accelerated 26.5 month primary care PA program combining classroom teaching with over 2,000 hours of clinical rotations. The curriculum focuses on preventing disease and empowering patients.

Key Highlights:

• POP and SOAP note writing workshop to enhance medical documentation skills
• Culminating research project on topics affecting the PA profession
• Hands-on workshops in radiology, suturing, casting, and specialty exams
• Core rotations at SSM Health St. Mary‘s Hospital, VA Medical Center and community health centers

South University students take an interprofessional service learning course, collaborating with physical therapy and nursing students on community projects. Graduates have enjoyed a strong 100% PANCE first-time pass rate.

Website: https://www.southuniversity.edu

6. Chatham University Physician Assistant Program

Located at Chatham‘s St. Louis campus, this 27-month program combines rigorous coursework with over 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in diverse urban and rural settings across Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Key Highlights:

• Nine required courses in social, behavioral and community contexts of health and medicine
• 200-hour clinical prep course to refine history and physical exam skills
• Customizable clinical rotations based on student‘s individual interests
• Core rotations at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, SSM Health DePaul Hospital and various community health centers

With small class sizes and a robust mentoring program, Chatham PA students form close bonds with classmates and faculty who become invaluable career resources. PANCE pass rates consistently exceed national averages.

Website: https://chatham.edu

7. Rockhurst University Master of Medical Science Program

Rockhurst offers an intense 26-month program focusing on primary care, including a heavy emphasis on clinical skills. Students spend 25 hours per week in supervised clinical settings, in addition to coursework, throughout all seven semesters.

Key Highlights:

• First semester includes 200 hours observing physicians across 30 specialties
• Hands-on intensive workshops across Emergency Medicine, Orthopedics, OB/Gyn and Pediatrics
• 2,300 hours total supervised clinical practice
• Core rotations include Otolaryngology clinic, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital and private specialty clinics

The Rockhurst program consistently achieves 100% PANCE first-time pass rates. Most graduates go on to practice in Missouri and surrounding states.

Website: https://www.rockhurst.edu

8. Logan University Physician Assistant Program

Logan University offers an accelerated 26-month program focusing on neuromusculoskeletal medicine and integrative patient care. Students blend classroom learning with over 2,000 hours of clinical rotations across primary care and specialty settings.

Key Highlights:

• Heavy emphasis on diagnosing and managing musculoskeletal disorders
• Training in osteopathic manipulation techniques to treat somatic dysfunction
• 150 hours dedicated to complementary medicine topics
• Core rotations at Logan Chiropractic Clinics, Concentra Urgent Care, and Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Logan PA students have access to expanded interprofessional training opportunities drawing from Logan‘s chiropractic, nutrition, acupuncture and athletic training programs. PANCE pass rates exceed 95% for recent graduates.

Website: https://www.logan.edu

9. Missouri Baptist University PA Program

Missouri Baptist offers an accelerated 26-month primary care focused PA program combining classroom and lab instruction with over 2,000 hours of supervised clinical rotations.

Key Highlights:

• Training across over 30 outpatient specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, OB-GYN, pediatrics and general surgery
• Hands-on experience with advanced patient simulators
• First summer semester spent shadowing PAs across St. Louis healthcare organizations
• Core rotations at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Des Peres Hospital and various outpatient clinics

Missouri Baptist PA graduates consistently secure top residency and fellowship positions at renowned hospitals nationwide. The program maintains strong relationships with regional healthcare employers.

Website: https://www.mobap.edu

10. Concordia University Wisconsin PA Program – St. Louis

Concordia offers an intensive 26-month primary care focused PA program at its St. Louis Center location. Students blend rigorous coursework with over 2,300 hours of supervised clinical rotations across over 40 specialties.

Key Highlights:

• Training in technical skills including phlebotomy, injections, IV placement, suturing and casting
• Required capstone research project on a current issue affecting PA practice
• 200 hours dedicated to population health topics
• Core rotations at Mercy Hospital South, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital, and various outpatient clinics

The Concordia PA program boasts clinical affiliations with over 500 preceptors across Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Graduates consistently secure top residency positions and jobs in the St. Louis area.

Website: https://www.cuw.edu

11. Saint Louis College of Pharmacy PA Program

The Saint Louis College of Pharmacy offers an intensive 26-month curriculum preparing students to provide care across the lifespan. Students gain expertise in pharmacotherapeutics to optimize medication regimens for future patients.

Key Highlights:

• 17 required courses in pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, pharmacy law and literature evaluation
• 140 hours of small group patient care simulations
• Customized pharmacology flashcard app to reinforce learning
• Core rotations at Cardinal Glennon Children‘s Hospital, Touro Infirmary, and various community clinics

With an emphasis on interprofessional practice and extensive training in lab assessment and treatment planning, SLCOP PA graduates emerge fully prepared for advanced practice provider roles in primary care and specialty settings.

Website: https://www.stlcop.edu

12. Saint Louis College of Health Careers PA Program

Saint Louis College of Health Careers offers an intensive 26-month primary care focused PA program combining classroom instruction with over 2,500 hours of supervised clinical rotations.

Key Highlights:

• Hands-on experience reading X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and ultrasound images
• Training to interpret 12-lead ECGs and complete comprehensive physical exam skills
• Dedicated courses in radiology, mental health, hematology and medical literature analysis
• Core rotations at Mercy Hospital South, SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital, and various outpatient clinics

With a robust network of affiliated preceptors across over 100 specialties, SLCHC students complete rotations in cutting-edge environments alongside practicing providers. Graduates consistently secure excellent positions upon program completion.

Website: https://www.slchc.edu

13. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville PA Program

The SIUE primary care PA program offers an intensive 25-month curriculum focused on rural medicine and meeting healthcare workforce needs across Southern Illinois.

Key Highlights:

• Interprofessional simulation center for enhanced team training
• Health mentorship program pairing students with rural preceptors
• Required international medical mission trip
• Core rotations at Anderson Hospital, HSHS St. Joseph‘s Hospital, and various critical access hospitals

With a dedicated campus in Springfield, SIUE PA students train across diverse urban and rural clinical environments. Graduates emerge ready to provide exceptional care within medically underserved communities.

Website: https://www.siue.edu

14. Lindenwood University PA Program

Lindenwood offers an accelerated 26-month primary care focused program combining rigorous academics with over 2,000 hours of supervised clinical rotations. Students benefit from the school‘s teaching hospital and community clinic affiliations.

Key Highlights:

• Training across family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine and psychiatry
• Hands-on experience with high-fidelity patient simulators
• Culminating evidence-based medicine project on a current clinical issue
• Core rotations at Christian Hospital Northwest, Progress West Hospital and various outpatient clinics

With small cohort sizes and dedicated faculty advising, Lindenwood students receive individualized support from application to graduation. Graduates consistently secure top residency and clinical positions.

Website: https://www.lindenwood.edu

15. Missouri State University Physician Assistant Program

Missouri State offers an intensive 26-month Physician Assistant program combining rigorous coursework with over 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experiences across the Ozarks region.

Key Highlights:

• Interprofessional simulations covering complex medical events and procedures
• Culminating patient education toolkit project on a current public health issue
• OHSU PAEA evidence-based medicine video competition participation
• Core rotations at Mercy Hospital Springfield, Citizen‘s Memorial Hospital and specialty outpatient clinics

With dedicated advising and abundant hands-on experiences, Missouri State PA students emerge prepared for rural medicine careers across Southern Missouri and surrounding states. PANCE pass rates exceed 97% over the last 5 years.

Website: https://www.missouristate.edu

16. A.T. Still University – School of Health Management PA Program

A.T Still‘s St. Louis campus offers an intensive 26-month curriculum focused on whole person healthcare and community medicine. Students complete health systems management coursework in addition to clinical training across underserved communities.

Key Highlights:

• Culminating master‘s paper on a current issue affecting community health outcomes or healthcare policy
• Training in business administration concepts including project management, data analysis, and healthcare economics
• Interprofessional simulations covering disaster response management
• Core rotations at Affinia Healthcare clinics, Myrtle Hilliard Davis clinics and various FQHCs

Graduates emerge prepared to address complex medical and systemic issues affecting access to quality healthcare within rural and urban communities. PANCE pass rates for recent grads exceed 95%.

Website: https://www.atsu.edu

17. Cox College Physician Assistant Program

Cox College offers an intensive 28-month program focused on rural and urban healthcare. Students spend a semester immersed in an international medicine program in New Zealand or Fiji.

Key Highlights:

• Global health semester abroad for credit exploring social determinants of health
• Spanish medical terminology required course
• Culminating patient education book project on a current public health issue
• Core rotations across Mercy Hospital, Citizen‘s Memorial Hospital, private specialty clinics

The Cox College program boasts clinical affiliations spanning the range from rural health clinics to level-1 trauma centers across Missouri and four surrounding states. With small class sizes and a robust advising program, students receive abundant personalized mentorship.

Website: https://www.coxcollege.edu

18. Cape Girardeau Physician Assistant Program

The Cape Girardeau PA program offers a 25-month primary care focused curriculum combining classroom instruction with over 2,000 hours of supervised clinical work across rural Southeastern Missouri.

Key Highlights:

• Required training in point-of-care ultrasound, remote medicine, disaster preparedness
• Interprofessional case-focused simulation labs.
• Customized pharmacology app with flash cards and practice questions
• Core rotations at Saint Francis Medical Center, Southeast Health Center, specialty outpatient clinics

With a dedicated campus building featuring an interprofessional simulation lab, cadaver lab and advanced exam practice rooms, Cape Girardeau students train in an innovative environment modeled after top teaching hospitals and universities nationwide.

Website: https://www.semo.edu

19. Hannibal-LaGrange Physician Assistant Program

Hannibal-LaGrange University offers an accelerated 26-month primary care focused PA curriculum combining classroom work with over 2,300 hours of supervised clinical rotations across rural Northeastern Missouri.

Key Highlights:

• Required international medical mission trip completion
• Culminating public health-focused capstone project
• Enhanced training in point-of-care ultrasound techniques and interpretation
• Core rotations at Hannibal Regional Medical Group, Northeast Missouri Health Council clinics

With a dedicated cadaver lab and high-fidelity patient simulators, Hannibal-LaGrange students gain abundant hands-on procedural experience prior to treating patients. Small class sizes ensure abundant faculty support and mentorship.

Website: https://www.hlg.edu

20. Central Methodist University PA Program

Central Methodist University offers a 25-month primary care focused program blending rigorous academics with over 2,000 hours of supervised clinical work across rural communities in central Missouri.

Key Highlights:

• Required capstone research thesis related to issues affecting rural community health
• Enhanced training in remote medicine procedures including telehealth visits
• Interprofessional simulations focused on rural healthcare delivery
• Core rotations at Moberly Regional Medical Center, Boone Hospital Center, charity clinics

With clinical affiliations spanning from critical access hospitals to academic medical centers, CMU students gain well-rounded experiences across the healthcare landscape. Small cohort sizes ensure personalized advising and abundant faculty support.

Website: https://www.centralmethodist.edu