In a ranking released by U.S. News and World Report on March 12, Arcadia University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program was ranked third in Pennsylvania and 46th in the nation– an increase of over 30 percent from U.S. News’ last such rankings in 2015.

Arcadia’s program is one of only 18 in Pennsylvania to make the list of best programs, and is ranked in the top third of the 170 programs listed nationally. Previously, the program was ranked 70th in the nation. The University holds its highest ranking in the 2020 placement since the ranking of PA programs began in 2007.

The peer assessment survey rated PA programs based on academic quality of institutions accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Arcadia’s program received an average 3.0 out of 5 on the peer assessment.

Arcadia’s PA program hosts students at both the Glenside, Pa. and Christiana, Del. campuses. Students experience exceptional pass rate on the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants board examinations, with an average pass rate of 100 percent for first time test takers and scores above the national mean in all content areas.

In addition to PA, the College of Health Sciences is home to the nationally ranked Physical Therapy program. In 2016, U.S. News and World Report ranked the program second in Pennsylvania and 20th in the nation.