This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Data sourced from official university Cost of Attendance publications and federal legislation (Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Sec. 81001).
By The PASchoolLoans Data Team | Updated March 2026
The most expensive PA program in America is Franklin Pierce University at $311,760 total cost of attendance. With federal Direct Loans capped at $20,500 per year for graduate students, this creates a funding gap of $250,260 that must come from private loans, personal savings, or other sources. All 177 PA programs in the country carry a funding gap.
Which PA programs cost the most in 2026?
We analyzed cost of attendance data from all 177 PA programs across 137 institutions in the United States. The range is staggering: from $48,063 at the least expensive program to $311,760 at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire.
The median total cost across all PA programs sits at $134,557. The mean is $143,141. Both figures dwarf the federal borrowing tools available to PA students under current law.
Here are the 20 most expensive PA programs ranked by total cost of attendance:
| Rank | Institution | Years | Annual COA | Total Cost | Total Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin Pierce University | 3.0 | $103,920 | $311,760 | $250,260 |
| 2 | University of Southern California | 3.0 | $103,098 | $309,294 | $247,794 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego | 3.0 | $98,933 | $296,798 | $235,298 |
| 4 | New York Institute of Technology | 5.4 | $54,752 | $295,661 | $184,961 |
| 5 | Pacific University | 3.0 | $92,428 | $277,284 | $215,784 |
| 6 | Baylor College of Medicine | 3.0 | $88,578 | $265,734 | $204,234 |
| 7 | Mercy University | 5.0 | $51,358 | $256,790 | $154,290 |
| 8 | High Point University | 3.0 | $85,287 | $255,861 | $194,361 |
| 9 | Mississippi State University (Non-Resident) | 3.0 | $84,929 | $254,787 | $193,287 |
| 10 | Franklin College | 6.2 | $40,469 | $250,907 | $123,807 |
| 11 | University of California-Davis | 2.25 | $108,650 | $244,462 | $198,337 |
| 12 | Marquette University | 2.33 | $101,120 | $235,610 | $187,845 |
| 13 | Chamberlain University-Illinois | 2.0 | $117,000 | $234,000 | $193,000 |
| 14 | Marshall B. Ketchum University | 3.0 | $75,897 | $227,691 | $166,191 |
| 15 | University of South Florida (Out-of-State) | 2.3 | $96,159 | $221,166 | $174,016 |
| 16 | The George Washington University | 2.5 | $87,918 | $219,795 | $168,545 |
| 17 | University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | 3.5 | $61,452 | $215,082 | $143,332 |
| 18 | Saint Elizabeth University | 3.5 | $61,442 | $215,049 | $143,299 |
| 19 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | 3.0 | $71,012 | $213,036 | $151,536 |
| 20 | Tufts University | 2.0 | $105,969 | $211,938 | $170,938 |
A few patterns stand out. Program duration varies widely, from 2.0 years at Chamberlain and Tufts to 6.2 years at Franklin College. Longer programs don't always have the highest annual costs, but the extra years of living expenses and fees compound dramatically. New York Institute of Technology's annual cost of $54,752 appears moderate until you multiply it across 5.4 years.
Meanwhile, schools like UC Davis and Chamberlain University carry the highest annual costs of attendance, exceeding $108,000 and $117,000 per year respectively, even though their total costs rank lower due to shorter program lengths.
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How does the $20,500 federal cap affect these programs?
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), PA students are classified as graduate borrowers with access to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. The Grad PLUS loan program, which previously allowed students to borrow up to their full cost of attendance, was eliminated.
This classification is the core of the problem. PA students aren't treated like medical or dental students who fall under professional degree caps. They receive the same federal loan limit as a student in an online MBA or a one-year master's in education, regardless of the clinical intensity or cost of their training.
Consider what $20,500 per year covers at the average PA program:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mean annual cost of attendance | $62,342 |
| Median annual cost of attendance | $60,062 |
| Federal Direct Loan cap (annual) | $20,500 |
| Mean annual funding gap | $41,842 |
| Median annual funding gap | $39,562 |
| Programs with a funding gap | 177 of 177 |
| Percentage with a gap | 100.0% |
Every single PA program in America costs more than federal loans can cover. Not most. Not 95%. All of them. The $20,500 annual cap covers roughly one-third of the average PA program's yearly costs, leaving the remaining two-thirds unfunded by the federal government.
At the top of the list, the math becomes almost absurd. Chamberlain University's annual cost of $117,000 means federal loans cover just 17.5% of the bill. At UC Davis, with an annual COA of $108,650, Direct Loans cover 18.9%. The gap isn't a rounding error. It's the majority of the cost. For a gap-focused view of these same programs, see our largest PA funding gaps ranking.
What's the total funding gap at the most expensive PA schools?
The total funding gap is the number that should keep prospective PA students up at night. It represents the total amount you'll need from non-federal sources over the life of your program.
At Franklin Pierce University, that gap is $250,260. At USC, it's $247,794. At UC San Diego, $235,298.
To put these figures in context, the median home price in the United States is roughly $400,000. Students at the top five most expensive PA programs are taking on private debt equivalent to more than half a house before earning their first paycheck.
The aggregate federal loan limit for graduate students stands at $100,000, which includes any undergraduate federal borrowing. The lifetime limit is $257,500. But these ceilings are almost beside the point when the annual cap of $20,500 creates shortfalls of $40,000 to $96,000 each year. You'll hit a wall on private borrowing needs long before the aggregate limits become relevant.
Across all 177 PA programs, the mean total cost is $143,141. Subtract the federal loans available over a typical program length, and you're looking at six-figure private borrowing for the average PA student, not just those at elite institutions.
The gap also hits differently depending on where you live. Programs in California and the Northeast dominate the upper end of the rankings, driven partly by tuition and partly by living expenses. Franklin Pierce's $47,600 annual living expense estimate accounts for nearly half its annual COA. At USC, tuition alone is $73,260 per year, more than three and a half times the federal loan cap.
Are expensive programs worth the cost?
PAs currently start at approximately $125,000 per year, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 28% job growth through 2032. That's one of the strongest outlooks in healthcare. The career offers high demand, geographic flexibility, and salaries that climb with specialization and experience.
But ROI depends on the denominator. A PA who graduates from a program costing $134,557 (the median) and starts at $125,000 is in a fundamentally different position than one who graduates with $311,760 in total educational costs. The first student can realistically pay off their debt within 5 to 7 years of aggressive repayment. The second faces a decade or more, depending on interest rates on their private loans.
Private loan interest rates are the hidden multiplier here. Federal Direct Loans carry a fixed rate set annually by Congress. Private loans vary by lender, credit history, and whether you have a cosigner, but rates of 7% to 12% are common for students borrowing without established income. On a $250,260 private loan balance at 9% interest, monthly payments on a 10-year term would exceed $3,100.
That doesn't mean expensive programs are never worth it. Some of the costliest schools in the rankings, including USC, Baylor, and Tufts, carry significant name recognition, clinical placement networks, and alumni connections that can accelerate career trajectories. Others, like UC Davis and UC San Diego, are public institutions whose high costs partly reflect California's expensive cost of living, not necessarily premium tuition.
The question isn't whether PA school is worth it. For most graduates, it is. The question is whether the specific program you're considering is worth the specific gap it creates. A $50,000 difference in total cost between two programs translates into years of post-graduation financial freedom. Explore all 177 programs in our complete PA cost rankings.
What options do PA students have for covering the gap?
With federal loans covering only a fraction of costs, PA students generally rely on a combination of funding sources.
Private student loans are the primary mechanism. Lenders like Sallie Mae, Earnest, and SoFi offer graduate health professions loans specifically marketed to PA students. Interest rates, repayment terms, and cosigner requirements vary significantly. Shopping across multiple lenders is not optional; it's the difference between a 7% rate and an 11% rate on what could be a six-figure balance.
Scholarships and grants are available but competitive. The PA Foundation, state PA organizations, and individual schools offer awards, though the total dollar amounts rarely close a gap measured in tens of thousands per year. Every dollar helps, but scholarships alone won't solve a $41,842 annual shortfall.
Employer sponsorship is growing in some healthcare systems, particularly for students willing to commit to underserved areas post-graduation. The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment of up to $50,000 for two years of service in a Health Professional Shortage Area. This doesn't reduce the upfront gap, but it can dramatically accelerate post-graduation payoff.
Personal savings and family contributions fill the remaining space. Some students work and save aggressively during their pre-PA years. Others rely on family support. Neither option is available to everyone, which makes the funding gap a significant equity issue in PA education.
Income during clinical rotations is effectively zero. PA programs require mandatory full-time rotations that leave no room for employment. This means the living expense portion of COA, which ranges from $15,000 to $47,600 per year in the top 20 programs, must be fully funded in advance or through borrowing.
The elimination of Grad PLUS loans under the OBBBA shifted the burden of graduate education financing from federal programs with income-driven repayment options to private markets with fewer borrower protections. For PA students, who were already in a tight spot at $20,500 per year, the policy change formalized a gap that had existed informally for years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive PA program in America?
Franklin Pierce University's full-time Physician Assistant program tops the list at $311,760 in total cost of attendance over 3 years. That figure includes $55,120 in annual tuition, $1,200 in mandatory fees, and $47,600 in estimated living expenses per year. The next most expensive programs are USC at $309,294 and UC San Diego at $296,798.
How much do PA students need in private loans?
The average PA student faces an annual funding gap of $41,842 after accounting for the $20,500 federal Direct Loan cap. Over a full program, the median total cost of $134,557 means most students will need roughly $73,000 to $93,000 in non-federal funding, depending on program length. At the most expensive programs, private loan needs exceed $200,000.
Does the federal cap apply to all PA students?
Yes. All PA programs are classified as graduate-level, not professional-level, under federal financial aid rules. This means every PA student, regardless of institution, is limited to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. There are no exceptions based on program cost, clinical requirements, or geographic location. The aggregate federal loan limit for graduate students is $100,000, and the lifetime limit across undergraduate and graduate borrowing is $257,500.