Northwestern University vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
Funding gap comparison
Northwestern University
, IL
Physician Assistant (PA)
- Annual COA
- $90,378
- Federal Cap
- $20,500
- Annual Gap
- $69,878
- Total Program Cost
- $180,756
- Total Gap
- $139,756
- Years
- 2
- Classification
- Graduate
- Tuition
- $57,231/yr
- Fees
- $411/yr
- Living Expenses
- $32,736/yr
University of Wisconsin-Madison
, WI
Physician Assistant (PA)
- Annual COA
- $60,741
- Federal Cap
- $20,500
- Annual Gap
- $40,241
- Total Program Cost
- $121,481
- Total Gap
- $80,481
- Years
- 2
- Classification
- Graduate
- Tuition
- $44,327/yr
- Fees
- $0/yr
- Living Expenses
- $16,414/yr
Northwestern University has a $29,637 larger annual funding gap than University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do these programs have different funding gaps?
Funding gaps depend on each program's total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, and living expenses) minus the federal loan cap. Programs classified as "professional" have a $50,000 annual cap, while graduate programs are capped at $20,500.
How are these costs calculated?
Costs include tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses). These are based on published 2025-26 rates and official cost-of-attendance budgets.
What is the OBBBA and how does it affect student loans?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2026) eliminates Grad PLUS loans and replaces them with annual caps: $20,500 for graduate students and $50,000 for professional students. This creates a "funding gap" for programs that cost more than these caps.