2017 Physician Assistant Program Tuition and Cost Comparison
Tuition and cost data of resident and nonresident tuition including length and duration of all US PA programs.
Average Cost of PA School in 2017
Physician assistant program budgets have increased modestly over the past five years.
- Average cost of resident tuition for a 27-month physician assistant program is: $71,369
- Average cost of non-resident tuition for a 27-month physician assistant program is: $89,975
- Average program length is 27 months
The average increase in nonresident tuition over the last five years was 3.5%, whereas resident tuition rose by 4.1%.
Of particular interest was the difference between public and private institution tuition and fees.
- The average total resident tuition and nonresident tuition were higher for PA programs from private institutions than from those from public institutions.
- There was a 4% to 7% increase in the average total resident tuition for public and private institutions.
- The average total incidental costs (books, medical equipment, etc.) for public and private institutions increased by 23% and 139%, respectively.
The Ten Most Expensive PA Schools in 2017
| 1. Duquesne University | Pennsylvania | $222,000 |
| 2. Gannon University | Pennsylvania | $176,240 |
| 3. University of Southern California | California | $157,916 |
| 4. Medical University of South Carolina | South Carolina | $128,000 |
| 5. Pace University | New York | $125,000 |
| 6. Touro University - California | California | $124,360 |
| 7. MCPHS University (Boston) | Massachusetts | $122,625 |
| 8. MGH Institute of Health Professions | Massachusetts | $117,236 |
| 9. University of Nevada, Reno | Nevada | $117,220 |
| 10. Springfield College | Massachusetts | $114,158 |
The Ten Cheapest PA Schools in 2017
| 1. Miami-Dade College | Florida | $25,000 |
| 2. Rush University | Illinois | $26,000 |
| 3. The University of Texas - SW School of Health Professions | Texas | $29,570 |
| 4. University of Oklahoma | Oklahoma | $30,000 |
| 5. Towson University CCBC - Essex | Maryland | $31,325 |
| 6. Cuyahoga Community College/Cleveland State University | Ohio | $31,492 |
| 7. Wichita State University | Kansas | $31,616 |
| 8. Barry University | Florida | $32,000 |
| 9. SUNY Upstate Medical Center | New York | $32,150 |
| 10. University of North Texas HS Center Ft Worth | Texas | $33,260 |
Graph of PA School Tuition - 219 United States PA Programs
Keep in mind that these are estimated costs and variables such as tuition and fees will vary greatly from year to year.
Physician Assistant Programs Sorted by Tuition
Below you will find a dynamic and searchable table of all PA school programs in the United States.
- Tuition > $100,000 = Red
- Tuition > $50,000 and < $100,000 = Yellow
- Tuition < $50,000 = Green
Searchable and Sortable List (0=contact PA program)
- Click the header label in the first row to dynamically sort the table based on that column. You can sort by resident tuition, nonresident tuition, state and program duration
- Click the label of the column to add and review columns based on your preferences
Make sure to visit the relevant PA program website for the most current tuition, estimated costs, and fees.
You can find detailed information on each school as well as links to its corresponding website on my newly updated companion website at www.paschoolfinder.com
Here you can find an updated list of Postgraduate PA School Residency and Fellowship Programs.
| wdt_ID | PA Program | State | Resident Tuition | Nonresident Tuition | Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA Program | State | Resident Tuition | Nonresident Tuition | Months |
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View all posts in this series
- PA Schoolfinder – The Ultimate Physician Assistant School and Program Directory
- Physician Assistant Programs Offering Part-Time Options
- Which State Has the Largest Number of Physician Assistant Programs?
- Physician Assistant School and Program Directory eBook
- 2017 Physician Assistant Program Tuition and Cost Comparison Table
- Made by PA: The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs
- The Perfect PA Program Picker: PA School Requirements and Admissions Tool
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Is this the total cost of attendance or annual cost?
Hi, Emily, this is the total cost of attendance. I have newly updated table here: https://www.thepalife.com/2018-pa-school-tuition/
Or you can check out my 14 variable comparison tool which covers healthcare experience, resident and non-resident PA school tuition, PA program duration, GRE requirements, overall GPA, prerequisite GPA, and science GPA requirements. Search by PA program accreditation status, CASPA participation, PA school class size, five-year PANCE pass rates, and international student acceptance: https://www.thepalife.com/pa-program-picker/
Stephen
The cost of Duquesne’s accredited graduate part of their PA program is only $112,488. The total cost, which is now $238,320, includes all of the cost of the undergrad years as well when you enter straight from high school into their 5 year program. Someone else mentioned this in the earlier comments, but it is still not reflected in the information provided. Now it looks as if the program is much longer as well as much more expensive.
The tuition + fees of Medical University of South Carolina is NOT $128,000. That is the complete COA including lodging, board, transportation, etc.
According to MUSC website (http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/esl/em/records/fees_17.html):
Total tuition + fees: $61,131.00 (resident)
Total tuition + fees: $84,581.00 (non-resident)
Also, University of South Carolina is NOT $110,577. Again, that is the complete COA.
According to USC website (http://pa.med.sc.edu/estimated_cost.asp).
Total tuition + fees: $65,470.00 (resident)
Total tuition + fees: $105,265.00 (non-resident)
Also, Lenoir-Rhyne University has increased its tuition to $83,850 + $1900 fees. Total: $85,750
Northwestern tuition is $89,500 for 24 months, not $43,309.
Thanks, Sheri, I have updated the table!
Stephen
just wondering what facility or source the statistics are derived from?
Hi Esther, they are derived from the PAEA programs database along with research performed by myself and the helpful many who leave feedback and comments with corrections. With so many programs it is every changing. That is why it is always best to follow your search here with a formal search on the program’s website.
Stephen
Stephen,
Tuition for “The University of Tennessee Health Science Center” is 48,376, not 100k+ as that would be the total cost of attendance, including room and board.
Out of state would be an additional 32,952
As of Aug. 2, 2017
https://www.uthsc.edu/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/documents/medicine-coa.pdf
Looking on the University of Toledo’s website, their tuition for in-state students, for the entire program is actually $43,339 compared to the $110,000 that this website listed.
Here is their website: http://www.utoledo.edu/med/grad/pa/prospectus.html#CostsFinAid
Thanks so much Matthew, I have updated the table to reflect this.
Stephen
I interviewed at Barry University and their tuition is $32,800 per year. More like 80k total with fees.
Thanks so much I have updated the table to reflect this info.
Stephen
Duquesne’s costs listed are for 5 years (actually now $231,147 according to their website). Duquesne’s costs for the graduate portion are $109,932.
Thanks so much, I have updated the table to reflect these changes.
Stephen
The PA Program for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (in Utah) is actually 28 months in length.
Additionally, the tuition for the class starting in 2017 is $103,290.
https://rmuohp.edu/academics/master-of-physician-assistant-studies/faq/
https://pahub.rmuohp.edu/Program-Costs
Thanks so much, I have updated the table to reflect these changes.
– Stephen
MGHIHP Tuition is $90,000 for PA, $117k is total cost of attending.
Thanks so much, I have updated the table to reflect these changes.
Stephen
Just thought I would let you know- the link to the Northwestern program website sends you to the Northeastern program website.
Which university give accredited physician assistant program in California and what’s the cost and duration of the study.
You can type “California” in the search bar above the table and it will automagically populate the programs for this state.
– Stephen
Rush University is $96,000 total tuition for 30 months
Thank Jayjay,
I have updated the table to reflect these changes.