Articles & Guides
Funding strategies, cost comparisons, and policy analysis for PA school students.
Why Physician Assistant Gets $20,500, Not $50,000
PA students are capped at $20,500/year in federal loans while medical students get $50,000. With the average PA program costing $143,141, here's why.
PA vs. Medical School: Same Hospital, Different Loan Rules
PA students face a 100% funding gap rate under the $20,500 cap while MD students get $50,000/year. See how 177 PA programs compare to the MD path in 2026.
Physician Assistant Programs: Grandfathering Rules Explained
Transferring PA programs in 2026 could void your grandfathered Grad PLUS eligibility, capping loans at $20,500/year.
2026 Federal Loan Limit for Physician Assistant: $20,500 Cap Explained
The 2026 PA federal loan limit is $20,500/year after Grad PLUS elimination. Median PA costs are $60,062/year, leaving a $39,562 annual gap.
Is PA School Worth the Debt? 2026 ROI Analysis
Is PA school worth the debt in 2026? We analyzed 137 programs: 100% exceed the $20,500 federal cap, with debt-to-income ratios from 0.47:1 to 2.71:1.
$311,760 Degree: Most Expensive Physician Assistant Programs (2026)
The most expensive PA programs in 2026 cost up to $311,760. Rankings of 177 programs with funding gaps, federal loan shortfalls, and private loan needs.
$96,500 Annual Gap: Physician Assistant Largest Funding Gaps (2026)
The largest PA funding gap in 2026 is $96,500/year. See which 177 PA programs exceed the $20,500 federal loan cap and by how much.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Physician Assistant Costs: $82,590 Gap
Out-of-state PA students pay up to $82,590 more over their program. See the 20 biggest surcharges and how residency status changes your funding gap.
Every Physician Assistant Program Ranked by Total Cost (2026)
PA program cost comparison 2026: 177 programs ranked by total cost. Median is $134,557, and all 177 exceed the $20,500 federal cap.