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2018 Physician Assistant School Tuition and Fees: Cost Comparison Table

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2018 Physician Assistant (PA) School Tuition Cost and Feds Comparison

Tuition, Costs, and Fees of Resident and Nonresident Tuition For All 256 US PA Programs

How Much Does it Cost to Go to PA School in 2018?

  • Average cost of resident tuition + fees to graduate from an accredited physician assistant program in 2018 is: $79,941
  • Average cost of non-resident tuition for a 2-year physician assistant program is: $90,659

Two private programs (1.4%) and 59 public programs (90.8%) reported that they had separate resident and non-resident tuition rates.

Most Expensive States to Attend PA School

  1. California (16 programs) (PAEA): $102,595
  2. Massachusetts (9 programs) (PAEA): $96,000
  3. Connecticut (6 programs) (PAEA): $92,386
  4. Rhode Island (2 programs) (PAEA): $92,476
  5. Tennessee (9 programs) (PAEA): $91,107

Cheapest States to Attend PA School

Three of the five cheapest PA prgrams are in Texas!

  1. Kansas (1 program) (PAEA): $39,486
  2. Texas (10 programs) (PAEA): $47,827
  3. Alabama (2 programs) (PAEA): $63,054
  4. Colorado (3 programs) (PAEA): $66,703
  5. Iowa (4 programs) (PAEA): $68,779
  6. Wisconsin (5 programs) (PAEA): $69,561

Resident PA School Tuition and Fees Over The Years

Resident PA School Tuition and Fees From 2013-2018

  • 2018: $79,941
  • 2017: $71,369
  • 2016: $65,564
  • 2015: $64,961

The 5 Cheapest PA Schools

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Texas 27,500 63,500
Towson University CCBC - Essex Maryland 31,325 52,026
Miami-Dade College Florida 32,000 45,000
University of Texas - HS Center at San Antonio Texas 36,000 88,485
University of Texas - Medical Branch at Galveston Texas 36,000 74,000

The 5 Most Expensive PA Schools

University of Southern California California 171,836 171,836
Touro University - California California 126,680 126,680
University of California-Davis California 123,735 123,735
MGH Institute of Health Professions Massachusetts 119,835 119,835
Pace University New York 116,515 116,515

2018 Physician Assistant School Tuition Table

This tuition data is meant to reflect tuition + fees for the entire program. Every school reports differently so make sure to confirm the tuition data here with the PA program using the link provided. These numbers may differ with the PAEA PA Program Directory as many of those numbers are out of date.

The following table is ordered from least to most expensive based on resident tuition. Click this link to view the interactive 2018 PA school tuition table.

PA Program State In State Tuition Out of State Tuition
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Texas 25,500 60,500
Towson University CCBC - Essex Maryland 31,325 52,026
Miami-Dade College Florida 32,000 45,000
University of Texas - HS Center at San Antonio Texas 36,000 88,485
University of Texas - Medical Branch at Galveston Texas 36,000 74,000
Wayne State University Michigan 36,000 72,902
University of Texas - SW School of Health Professions Texas 36,882 77,427
University of North Dakota North Dakota 38,095 38,095
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Texas 38,710 87,439
SUNY Downstate Medical Center New York 39,000 77,735
Northeastern State University - OK Oklahoma 39,400 69,400
Wichita State University Kansas 39,486 75,429
Indiana State University Indiana 40,000 80,000
James Madison University Virginia 40,016 86,428
University of Iowa Iowa 40,315 84,385
University of Oklahoma, Tulsa Oklahoma 40,958 78,682
CCNY Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education New York 42,139 63,364
University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Oklahoma 42,465 81,530
The CUNY School of Medicine New York 43,259 70,931
University of Toledo Ohio 43,339 73,000
East Carolina University North Carolina 43,395 89,416
University of South Dakota South Dakota 44,604 86,049
SUNY Upstate Medical Center New York 45,440 94,449
Stony Brook University New York 46,000 114,600
Missouri State University Missouri 46,500 68,993
University of North Texas HS Center Ft Worth Texas 47,684 89,285
University of Wisconsin - Madison Wisconsin 48,193 98,169
Augusta University Georgia 48,825 97,650
University of Colorado Colorado 49,854 107,952
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Wisconsin 50,009 87,234
West Liberty University West Virginia 50,400 75,600
University of Nebraska Nebraska 57,190 104,511
Louisiana State University - New Orleans Louisiana 51,813 92,321
University of New Mexico New Mexico 51,885 77,032
Kean University New Jersey 53,000 70,000
University of Arkansas Arkansas 53,397 84,397
Lock Haven University Pennsylvania 53,736 76,874
Florida Gulf Coast University Florida 55,024 138,479
University of Florida Florida 55,320 122,994
University of Kentucky Kentucky 55,420 119,000
Marywood University Pennsylvania 57,275 57,275
Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Indiana 58,661 84,575
CUNY York College New York 59,000 86,456
Medical University of South Carolina South Carolina 60,891 89,121
Louisiana State University - Shreveport Louisiana 61,000 93,249
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill North Carolina 61,000 105,000
Northern Arizona University Arizona 61,928 86,624
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Florida 62,798 83,203
University of South Alabama Alabama 62,832 116,435
University of Alabama at Birmingham Alabama 63,275 121,375
Western Michigan University Michigan 64,874 77,902
Red Rocks Community College Colorado 65,256 65,256
Florida State University Florida 65,333 88,667
Albany Medical College New York 66,444 118,776
Carroll University Wisconsin 66,469 66,469
Des Moines University Iowa 66,840 66,840
Francis Marion University South Carolina 67,004 134,008
Howard University District of Columbia 67,546 67,546
Hardin-Simmons University Texas 68,000 68,000
University of Texas - Pan American Texas 68,000 96,000
Northeastern University Massachusetts 69,000 90,822
University of Missouri - Kansas City Missouri 69,556 82,678
Baylor College of Medicine Texas 69,794 69,794
University of Utah Utah 69,921 103,991
Eastern Michigan University Michigan 70,546 121,329
University of Mount Union Ohio 70,700 70,700
Western University of Health Sciences California 71,039 71,039
Rutgers University New Jersey 71,820 71,820
Mercer University Georgia 72,000 72,000
Grand Valley State University Michigan 72,696 84,872
Eastern Virginia Medical School Virginia 72,863 83,622
St. John's University New York 72,900 72,900
Mount St. Joseph University Ohio 73,150 73,150
Mississippi College Mississippi 73,600 73,600
Penn State University Pennsylvania 73,686 73,686
Idaho State University Idaho 73,764 118,662
University of Washington Washington 73,861 73,861
Saint Catherine University Minnesota 73,920 73,920
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale Florida 74,655 74,655
Nova Southeastern University, Orlando Florida 74,655 74,655
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Myers Florida 74,665 74,665
Stanford University California 74,700 74,700
College of Saint Mary Nebraska 75,000 75,000
Oklahoma City University Oklahoma 75,000 75,000
University of Dubuque Iowa 75,000 75,000
Wingate University North Carolina 75,000 75,000
Westfield State University Massachusetts 75,160 75,160
South University (Georgia) Georgia 75,555 75,555
South University (West Palm Beach) Florida 75,555 75,555
Campbell University North Carolina 75,600 75,600
Stephens College Missouri 76,000 76,000
Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine Illinois 76,058 76,058
Rochester Institute of Technology New York 76,500 76,500
Shenandoah University Virginia 76,540 86,500
Lenoir-Rhyne University North Carolina 77,000 77,000
Salus University Pennsylvania 77,275 77,275
University of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 77,288 89,553
Adventist University of Health Sciences - Orlando Florida 77,480 77,480
Touro University Nevada Nevada 77,651 77,651
University of Dayton Ohio 77,770 77,770
Baldwin Wallace University Ohio 78,000 78,000
Thomas Jefferson University Pennsylvania 78,000 78,000
Marietta College Ohio 78,254 78,254
Desales University Pennsylvania 78,300 78,300
Gardner Webb University North Carolina 78,308 78,308
Lake Erie College Ohio 78,400 78,400
Emory & Henry College Virginia 78,806 78,806
Christian Brothers University Tennessee 79,000 79,000
Drexel University Pennsylvania 79,326 79,326
University of St. Francis New Mexico 79,343 79,343
Barry University Florida, Virgin Islands 80,000 80,000
California Baptist University California 80,000 80,000
Touro College (Bay Shore) New York 80,000 80,000
University of Bridgeport Connecticut 80,000 80,000
University of Charleston West Virginia 80,024 80,024
Lynchburg College Virginia 80,092 80,092
South University in Savannah Georgia 80,100 80,100
South University, West Palm Beach Florida 80,100 80,100
Saint Louis University Missouri 80,150 80,150
Jefferson College of Health Sciences Virginia 80,295 80,295
Keiser University Florida 80,468 80,468
Bethel University Tennessee Tennessee 80,500 80,500
Heritage University Washington 80,750 80,750
Slippery Rock University Pennsylvania 81,000 81,000
Ohio Dominican University Ohio 81,131 81,131
Ohio University Ohio 81,131 81,131
Cornell University New York 81,132 81,132
Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences New York 81,132 81,132
Milligan College Tennessee 81,190 81,190
University of the Cumberlands Kentucky 81,550 81,550
Kettering College Ohio 81,865 81,865
King's College Pennsylvania 82,668 82,668
Mary Baldwin College Virginia 82,832 82,832
Charles R. Drew University california 83,000 83,000
Southern Illinois University Illinois 83,000 149,000
Mary Baldwin University (Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences) Virginia 83,117 83,117
Creighton University Nebraska 83,132 83,132
Yale University School of Medicine Connecticut 83,162 83,162
Le Moyne College New York 84,000 84,000
Misericordia University Pennsylvania 84,000 84,000
South University (Tampa) Florida 84,275 84,275
Tufts University School of Medicine Massachusetts 84,306 84,306
South University, Richmond Virginia 84,440 84,440
Concordia University Wisconsin 84,733 84,733
Philadelphia University Pennsylvania 84,990 84,990
Rocky Vista University Colorado 85,000 85,000
Wake Forest University North Carolina 85,000 85,000
Elon University North Carolina 85,680 85,680
Case Western Reserve University Ohio 85,767 85,000
Butler University Indiana 86,000 86,000
Harding University Arkansas 86,135 86,135
George Washington University District of Columbia 86,148 86,148
Arizona School of Health Sciences Arizona 86,268 86,268
Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania 86,745 122,474
Bethel University Minnesota Minnesota 86,856 86,856
Saint Francis University Pennsylvania 86,900 86,900
Augsburg College Minnesota 87,024 87,024
Oregon Health & Science University Oregon 87,162 87,162
Southern California University of Health Sciences California 87,344 87,344
University of Findlay Ohio 87,562 87,562
University of Nevada, Reno Nevada 87,625 87,625
MCPHS University (Manchester/Worcester) New Hampshire 87,804 87,804
University of New England Maine 88,000 88,000
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Pennsylvania 88,319 88,319
Methodist University North Carolina 88,347 88,347
Seton Hill University Pennsylvania 88,480 88,480
College of Saint Scholastica Minnesota 88,500 88,500
Loma Linda University California 89,100 89,100
Presbyterian College South Carolina 89,250 89,250
Northwestern University Illinois 89,500 89,500
Franklin Pierce University New Hampshire 90,000 90,000
Johnson & Wales University Rhode Island 90,000 90,000
Arcadia University Pennsylvania 90,240 90,240
Marist College New York 90,900 90,900
South College Tennessee 90,900 90,900
Mercy College New York 91,060 91,060
Our Lady of the Lake College Louisiana 92,000 92,000
University of Evansville Indiana 92,000 92,000
Trine University Indiana 92,050 92,050
Trevecca Nazarene University Tennessee 92,300 92,300
Duke University Medical Center North Carolina 92,692 92,692
Pacific University Oregon 92,743 92,743
Lipscomb University Tennessee 92,925 92,925
St. Ambrose University Iowa 92,960 92,960
Wagner College New York 93,000 93,000
Daemen College New York 93,080 93,080
University of Detroit/Mercy Michigan 93,138 93,138
Chapman University (California) California 93,331 93,331
Mercyhurst University Pennsylvania 93,614 93,614
Rocky Mountain College Montana 93,861 93,846
Yale University - Online Program Connecticut 94,500 94,500
Bryant University Rhode Island 94,951 94,951
Quinnipiac University Connecticut 95,000 95,000
Midwestern University (Glendale) Arizona 95,193 95,193
North Greenville University South Carolina 96,000 96,000
Rush University Illinois 96,000 96,000
University of the Sciences of Philadelphia Pennsylvania 96,363 96,363
University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne) Indiana 96,775 96,775
Hofstra University New York 97,000 97,000
Sullivan University Kentucky 97,000 97,000
Lincoln Memorial Tennessee 97,169 97,169
Valparaiso University Indiana 97,239 97,239
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine Pennsylvania 97,597 97,597
Marshall B. Ketchum University California 97,625 97,625
Samuel Merritt University California 98,000 98,000
Touro University Las Vegas Nevada 98,000 98,000
University of Detroit Mercy Michigan 98,622 98,622
Midwestern University (Downers Grove) Illinois 99,032 99,032
Emory University Georgia 99,799 99,799
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Louisiana 100,496 100,496
Dominican University of California California 100,785 100,785
University of Tennessee Health Science Center Tennessee 100,979 130,979
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Florida 101,338 182,446
Bay Path College Massachusetts 101,400 101,400
University of Saint Joseph Connecticut 102,000 102,000
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Utah 103,000 103,000
University of La Verne California 103,747 103,747
Boston University 103,847 103,847
Clarkson University New York 104,485 104,485
Meharry Medical College Tennessee 105,000 105,000
Pace University, Pleasantville New York 105,000 105,000
Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital, NYC New York 105,000 105,000
MCPHS University (Manchester/Worcester) Massachusetts 105,220 105,220
Long Island University New York 106,000 106,000
Touro College (Manhattan) New York 106,000 106,000
Chatham University Pennsylvania 106,571 106,571
Sacred Heart University Connecticut 107,040 107,040
D'youville College New York 107,550 107,550
Union College Nebraska 108,160 108,160
University of the Pacific California 108,770 108,770
Seton Hall University New Jersey 108,960 108,960
University of Tampa Florida 110,465 110,465
University of South Carolina School of Medicine South Carolina 110,472 150,267
Central Michigan University Michigan 110,880 141,110
Duquesne University Pennsylvania 112,488 112,488
Monmouth University New Jersey 112,880 112,880
New York Institute of Technology New York 113,190 113,190
Marquette University Wisconsin 114,000 114,000
Springfield College Massachusetts 114,158 114,158
High Point University North Carolina 114,462 114,462
Alderson-Broaddus University West Virginia 115,702 115,702
Pace University New York 116,515 116,515
MGH Institute of Health Professions Massachusetts 119,236 119,236
University of California-Davis California 123,735 123,735
Touro University - California California 124,360 124,360
Medical University of South Carolina South Carolina 128,000 132,000
MCPHS University (Boston) Massachusetts 137,600 137,600
University of Southern California California 148,392 157,916
Gannon University (3+2) Pennsylvania 176,240 176,240

PA Schools Without Published Tuition Data

College of Saint Joseph Vermont Contact PA Program
Interservice Texas Contact PA Program
University of Incarnate Word Texas Contact PA Program
Pfeiffer University North Carolina Contact PA Program
Concordia University, Ann Arbor Michigan Contact PA Program
Anne Arundel Community College Maryland Contact PA Program
Frostburg State University Maryland Contact PA Program
Franklin College Indiana Contact PA Program
Nova Southeastern University, Jacksonville Florida Contact PA Program

2018 Tuition Table (Sortable)

*You will need to rotate your phone if you are viewing this on a mobile device. 

Please post updates or corrections in the comments section below and I will make sure to update the tuition data ASAP.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Is there an updated cost of Tuition and expenses for Wayne State University PA School for 2020 2021? And is there a link to any tuition assistance/ Scholarship aid? Thanks a concerned Person that wants to help a hard working PA Student research financial aid. D.S.

    Reply

  2. Hey Stephen, really nice work, I was wondering who is resident who is nonresident?
    Does it mean resident in the specific state?

    Reply

    • Yes, exactly, a resisdent is a person who is already a resident of that state versus one who is a resident of another state. You can always apply to become a resident once you are accepted. The process may take up to a year.

      Stephen

      Reply

  3. Hi there,
    thank you so much for making this! I was wanting to confirm that these costs are the tuition for the whole program and not yearly?

    Reply

    • Hi Tiffany, yes, these are costs for tuition for the whole program. Although the fact you have to even ask is proof positive that PA school prices have gotten way out of control isn’t it!! 🙂

      Stephen

      Reply

  4. Dear Stephen,
    I am wondering if you have advice on this situation. My school’s actual cost is $20000 more than what they advertised. They made some changes a few month before we matriculated and didnt tell us. Didnt findout until they slapped us with a bill $13000 more than what we expected for year two. Can they do this?! The school did not respond and honestly i feel like dropping out because of it. 🙁 we really dont want to take out that much more loans.
    Thanks a bunch
    Jade

    Reply

  5. I’m studying Biology in Georgia College and I want to be a PA, what is the Colleges in a Georgia that offer this program and is well known or another college that is affordable in the states near by . And where can I find the requirements to apply for PA school when I finish Biology. Thanks

    Reply

  6. For University of Nebraska, instate tuition for 2018 so far is 44,807 Out of state is 116,453
    Thanks for making the chart!

    Reply

  7. Hi Stephen,

    The financial advisor at the Worcester, MA campus for MCPHS got back to me.
    The MCPHS Worcester campus all mandatory tuition and fees for a student starting Spring 2020 would be $52,110 for calendar year 1 (Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020) and $53,110 for calendar year 2 (Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall2021).
    Hope this helps!

    Reply

  8. Hi Stephen,

    The tuition listed for MCPHS Worcester/Manchester for Massachusetts seems incorrect. The annual tuition for the Accelerated Master of Physician Assistant Studies (24-month) program is $47,955 (per combined fall, spring and summer semesters). This excludes cost of living expenses and I believe year II of clinical rotations with 47 credit hours might be different. I can update you once I have heard back from their financial advisor for the Worcester campus.

    Reply

  9. Hi Stephen,
    If is there any PA school doesn’t required 4 years of college? I’m MA for 2 years. looking forward to join a PA program.

    Reply

  10. Am from Africa to be specific Kenya, have done a course called clinical medicine and surgery, am I eligible to do PA, are there scolarship for the financial challenged like me who have passion in the field?

    Reply

    • Hi Vicky,

      To practice as a PA in the United States one must graduate from an ARC-PA accredited program and be certified by the NCCPA. If interested in applying to a PA program, such individuals should contact the PAEA for information on specific programs.

      Here is a wonderful resource on the topic from the ARC-PA (they accredit US PA programs and determine who may sit for the PANCE exam): http://www.arc-pa.org/frequently-asked-questions/non-us-health-care-professionals/

      Before you can work in the US, you must contact the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) to complete a visa screening program which, in part, will determine if your education was equivalent to that from a US PA Program. If your education is equivalent, you are eligible for a certificate that you can submit with your visa application to the US State Department. The State Department’s approval of your occupational visa may help you enter the U.S. but you are still not eligible to work as a PA in the U.S.

      To become a PA in the United States, individuals must also attend and graduate from an ARC-PA–accredited entry-level PA program and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certifying of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

      For information on PA programs contact the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA): https://paeaonline.org/ and the directory of PA programs here: http://directory.paeaonline.org/

      Eligibility criteria for taking the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) are available on the NCCPA web site: http://www.nccpa.net/

      Additional information on practicing as a PA in the US can be found at the American Academy of Physician Assistants’ (AAPA) website: https://www.aapa.org/

      To determine if an individual state allows non-US educated physicians to practice as PAs without additional education and national certification, you would have to contact the licensing bodies of the specific states.

      To find PA programs that accept International students:

      I would start by searching the PAEA directory website and click the box “Accept int’l applicants.” Currently, there are 138 programs that accept international students. From there you need to narrow down further based on requirements. I would then use my PA program picker table. You can narrow your search even further using all your variables: https://www.thepalife.com/pa-program-picker/

      Then, follow the links to the PA program websites and reach out to them personally. They will be able to guide you better than I since every program is a bit different. If you have any questions afterward just shoot me a reply.

      Stephen

      Reply

  12. Des Moines University’s PA School accreditation status should be Continued instead of Probationary, at least according to the school’s website.

    Reply

  13. Are these costs for the entire PA program?
    So for Stony Brook University, is the total cost for 4 full semesters is $114,600?

    Reply

    • Yes, Amy, these are meant to be costs for the entire program, but sometimes they are reported incorrectly on the program website or they may have changed since we last updated the table so make sure to double check on the program website by following the links provided.

      Stephen

      Reply

  14. Hello, the website link and the cost of tuition are incorrect for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine PA Program in Columbia SC. You have a link that goes to Alabama, and the cost you listed includes all costs, room, board, transportation, computer, thumbtacks, everything! Also, our state is a little confusing becasue there is also MUSC, which is in Charleston, SC, it is The Medical University of South Carolina. I believe the link and tuition are essentially correct for them. Thanks! Jack

    Reply

  15. MCPHS (Boston) tuition seems incorrect as well, as it is $37,200 per combined fall and spring semester which is already at least $74,400 for the didactic years, and then there is another ~9 months of clinicals.

    Reply

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