PA programs cost $50K–$90K a year — but because the PA degree isn’t on the federal “Professional” list, you’re capped at $20,500. That’s a $30K–$70K annual gap.
PA students train like doctors but borrow like grad students. The new caps make that gap worse.
PA programs require clinical rotations and board exams, but the degree isn't classified as "professional." Your cap is $20,500. The median program costs $56,558, leaving a $36,058 gap.
Two years at $20,500 is only $41,000 in federal loans. The aggregate limit won't be the bottleneck for most PA students, but undergraduate debt still counts against it.
Already enrolled? You may get up to 3 years of grandfathering. Starting fall 2026 or later? The caps apply from day one.
PAs complete clinical rotations, pass board exams, and practice medicine — just like MDs. Yet under 34 CFR § 668.2, PA degrees are not classified as “professional,” limiting federal borrowing to $20,500 vs. the $50,000 that medical students receive.
| School | Annual COA | Federal Cap | Annual Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain | $117,000 | $20,500 | −$96,500 |
| Franklin Pierce | $103,920 | $20,500 | −$83,420 |
| Marquette | $101,120 | $20,500 | −$80,620 |
| Midwestern (AZ) | $99,998 | $20,500 | −$79,498 |
| Hofstra | $98,532 | $20,500 | −$78,032 |
| Charles Drew | $92,800 | $20,500 | −$72,300 |
| U New Haven | $91,839 | $20,500 | −$71,339 |
| Northwestern | $90,378 | $20,500 | −$69,878 |
Source: The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis: A Data Report. Full methodology →
Federal loans, NHSC service commitments, institutional aid, and private lending for PA students.
Read guide →DATALook up any PA program: annual cost, federal cap, and the gap you'd need to fill.
Calculate yours →GUIDERates and terms from lenders serving PA students after Grad PLUS goes away.
Read guide →TOOLPick your PA program, enter your aid, and see how much you'll need beyond federal loans.
Calculate →Private lending, NHSC programs, and policy updates for PA students.
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