Cost of Top 10 PA Schools
Here is a break down of the cost of the top 10 PA programs according to US News and World Report, plus one outside the top 10 but included as a bonus since it was the school that I attended. For the complete rankings of all PA schools check here: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/physician-assistant-rankings .
The total cost of attendance was calculated based on the current 2017 cost estimates on the PA school’s websites.
The cost of tuition for the University of Colorado and University of Utah PA programs are based on out of state tuition for the first year and in-state tuition the following years, as you are able to establish residency after the first year.
Of the schools we looked at the University of Nebraska had the highest cost of attendance at $177,790 and Loma Linda University had the lowest cost of attendance at $135,785. The University of Nebraska had the highest tuition at $109,840 and the University of Colorado had the lowest tuition at $70,004.
Even though the University of Colorado had the lowest cost of tuition the total cost of the program was still high. Contributing to the extra cost of attendance was the length of the program and increased living expenses due to the length of the program. The shortest program was 24 months and longest program was University of Colorado at 36 months.
When looking at the total cost of attending a PA program the tuition is only one factor. The high cost of tuition did make a big difference for the total cost in the case of the University of Nebraska, but other factors like the cost of living in the location of the school can affect the total cost. Also, the length of the program can increase the total cost a lot; if you’re paying rent for a 24 month period compared to a 36 month period your costs are going to be much lower.
If you are a resident of a state that has a public university with a PA program you can save a lot of money with in-state tuition. If you’re interested in attending a PA program at a public university in a state that you are not a resident, one option would be to work and get your clinical hours done in that state so that you are a resident by the time you start the PA program.
Another benefit of attending a university close to home is that you may have the option of saving a lot on rent by living with parents or other relatives. If that is not an option look for other ways to save while in PA school.
The following table should be used as a general guide to see what estimates for tuition and total cost of PA school are. All numbers are subject to change. For current estimates you should contact the PA program of interest.
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Duke University |
|
| Tuition | $79,264 |
| Books | $3,754 |
| Fees | $3,500 |
| Living Expenses | $49,248 |
| Student Medical and Health | $7,138 |
| Other fees | $3,274 |
Total Cost of PA School |
$146,178 |
| Program Length | 24 months |
University of Iowa (non-resident) |
|
| Tuition | $85,624 |
| Books | $2,697 |
| Fees | $3,433 |
| Living Expenses | $31,527 |
| Student Medical and Health | $11,413 |
| Other fees | $4,520 |
Total Cost of PA School |
$139,214 |
| Program Length | 26 months |
Emory University |
|
| Tuition | |
| Books | |
| Fees | |
| Living Expenses | |
| Student Medical and Health | |
| Other fees | |
Total Cost of PA School |
$154,029 |
| Program Length | 7 semesters |
George Washington |
|
| Tuition | $88,980 |
| Books | |
| Fees | |
| Living Expenses | |
| Student Medical and Health | |
| Other fees | |
Total Cost of PA School |
not all expenses given |
| Program Length | 24 months |
Oregon Health and Sciences |
|
| Tuition | $83,187 |
| Books | $3,375 |
| Fees | $4,770 |
| Living Expenses | |
| Student Medical and Health | $11,538 |
| Other fees | $3,570 |
Total Cost of PA School |
$106,440 – estimates for living expenses not included |
| Program Length | 26 months |
Quinnipiac University |
|
| Tuition | $94,940 |
| Books | $3,400 |
| Fees | $5,950 |
| Living Expenses | $64,719 |
| Student Medical and Health | |
| Other fees | $4,385 |
Total Cost of PA School |
$173,394 |
| Program Length | 27 months |
University of Colorado (non-resident) |
|
| Tuition | $70,004 |
| Books | $1,173 |
| Fees | $2,284 |
| Living Expenses | $70,383 |
| Student Medical and Health | $7,836 |
| Other fees | |
Total Cost of PA School |
$151,680 |
| Program Length | 36 months |
University of Utah (non-resident) |
|
| Tuition | $83,803 |
| Books | |
| Fees | |
| Living Expenses | |
| Student Medical and Health | |
| Other fees | |
Total Cost of PA School |
not all expenses given |
| Program Length | 27 months |
University of Nebraska (non-resident) |
|
| Tuition | $109,840 |
| Books | $3,330 |
| Fees | $11,300 |
| Living Expenses | $47,800 |
| Student Medical and Health | |
| Other fees | $5,520 |
Total Cost of PA School |
$177,790 |
| Program Length | 28 months |
Wake Forest |
|
| Tuition | $84,910 |
| Books | $3,200 |
| Fees | included with tuition |
| Living Expenses | $41,560 |
| Student Medical and Health | $7,080 |
| Other fees | $8,980 |
Total Cost of PA School |
$145,730 |
| Program Length | 24 months |
Loma Linda University (my school) |
|
| Tuition | $82,500 |
| Books | $3,400 |
| Fees | $6,344 |
| Living Expenses | $39,240 |
| Student Medical and Health | |
| Other fees | $4,301 |
Total Cost of PA School |
$135,785 |
| Program Length | 24 months |
| Your School | |
| Tuition | |
| Books | |
| Fees | |
| Living Expenses | |
| Student Medical and Health | |
| Other fees | |
| Total Cost of PA School | |
| Program Length |
Use the 2017 PA program cost spreadsheet to calculate the cost of your PA school of interest.
