How much does PA school cost? The short answer is…a lot. In fact, the average PA school tuition for a 27-month program can range from about $70,000 to $120,000. 😶🌫️
A number of factors determine whether you end up closer to the low or high end of that range. In-state students usually receive a discount on their tuition, while private school programs often cost more than public schools.
Of course, scholarships can help reduce the price, but there aren’t many scholarship opportunities for PA students—and any available scholarships are often very competitive. So odds are, you’ll likely end up having to invest a pretty penny to become a PA.
If the PA school cost has you concerned and you’re wondering how you’re going to finance your education, don’t worry. We can help! In this post, we’re going to talk about PA student loans, strategies for paying them back, and ways to save on the cost of your PA education.
Let’s begin by talking about some hidden expenses that can end up having a big impact on your bottom line as a PA student.
PA School Cost: More Than Just Tuition
While obviously important, tuition is just one expense you need to consider. And there are times when it’s not the most important thing!
Living Costs
For example, when I applied to PA school, I was accepted into two programs. One was a public school in the downtown of a major city, while the other was a private school in a rural community about 40 minutes away from a big city. The cost of tuition at the public school was about $30,000 less than the cost of the private school.
However, I would have been paying much more for an apartment in the city than I would for one at the private school in the rural area. This influenced my decision, because if my rent was about $800 more per month for 27 months, that accounted for over $21,000 of the difference, not to mention additional expenses that come with living in a more desirable location. Since I knew as a PA student I wouldn’t have much opportunity to enjoy the city anyway, I opted to go to the technically more expensive school.
While confident I made the right decision, under different circumstances I may have opted for the urban location. For example, if I knew I wanted to start my career in the city, it would definitely have been worth going to school there just to get acquainted with the area and gain exposure to hospitals on clinical rotations.
Pro tip: Only apply to programs you would attend and can afford!
At the end of the day, I was lucky. Having a choice to pick my top PA programs is a luxury. Given the competitive nature of the application process, a lot of times students only get into one school.
Therefore, you shouldn’t waste time and money applying to a school you don’t think you’d attend. And I would research the price of tuition for each program you’re thinking about applying to, as well as what your cost of living will be.
Really picture yourself getting accepted into the program, make sure it’s somewhere you’d like to attend, and the cost of it is something you can afford. You don’t want to end up in a situation in which you get accepted to an expensive school and don’t have other options! At that point, you may feel forced to attend and graduate in serious debt, which may have been avoided if you’d selectively applied to schools with a more reasonable price tag.
Additional Costs
In addition to the cost of tuition and housing, there are some things you’ll need to purchase. Some PA programs have a dress code, so you may have to update your professional attire. You’ll also likely want to have scrubs for anatomy lab and eventually for clinical rotations.
Every semester, new textbooks will be recommended for the courses you’re taking. And you’ll likely need to purchase a reliable computer for note-taking and studying throughout the program!
Understanding PA Student Loans
For most of us, PA school would be unaffordable if we couldn’t take out student loans. Thankfully, despite the recent changes to the student loan allowances, there are still many options for obtaining student loans for PA school. You can also often get additional money (to cover rent and school materials) added to your total loan balance.
Student Loan Repayment
At the end of the day, the decision to invest so much time and money into your education is an extremely personal one. While there are great options for student loan repayment, from the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (for those working in underserved communities) to the HPLRP (for military service), not everyone will qualify for those programs. I knew generally where I wanted to move following graduation and that I wanted to work in an inpatient setting, which made me ineligible for the NHSC or HPLRP.
There are some employers that offer loan repayment programs, but it’s not as common as you may think. Of course, PSLF is an option for those who work at not-for-profit organizations, but many are hesitant to bank on this option given how inconsistent government oversight of the program has been.
In the end, it’s probably best to assume you’ll have to pay back any loans you take out. That way, if you’re able to find some kind of relief through employment, scholarship, or other repayment options, it’ll just be a pleasant surprise!
💸 For more information about the 2026 changes to student loans, check out this other post on the Blueprint blog! PA Student Loans: How to Pay for PA School in 2026
Believe me, you’re not the only one!
As someone who graduated from PA school with way over $100,000 in student loan debt, trust me, I get it! This can be a stressful conversation. I can assure you that as an aspiring health care professional you’re not alone in this.
The good news about becoming a PA is that your skills are in high demand and there’s excellent job security in this profession. Even if you need to relocate, you’ll likely always have a job. With reliable income, you can pay off your loans in a few years. Continuing to educate yourself on cost and loan repayment options is a very powerful way to stay informed and take control of your finances.
Final Thoughts
PA school is expensive, but there are things you can do to reduce how much you’ll owe upon graduation. Keep these tips in mind and your financial future will be a bright one. In the end, becoming a PA is a smart financial investment. The profession pays well, and demand for skilled healthcare professionals like you is only growing!
