West Coast University-Orange County
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $44,802 |
| Tuition & Fees | $32,370 |
| Living Expenses | $12,432 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $24,302 |
Cover Your $24,302 Gap
West Coast University-Orange County PA students typically need $24,302 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Large gap — private loans likely required
At $24,302/year ($48,604 over the full 2-year program), the funding gap for West Coast University-Orange County PA is substantial. Most students in this situation use a combination of private loans, institutional aid, and personal resources.
- Shop private loans carefully — a cosigner can significantly reduce your rate
- Ask West Coast University-Orange County about institutional scholarships, especially merit-based awards
- Consider whether a funded alternative (research/teaching assistantship) exists in your field
- File FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for any need-based institutional aid
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
Get your personalized funding plan
Fee-by-fee cost breakdown, residency comparison, and private loan options for West Coast University-Orange County PA — sent to your inbox.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for West Coast University-Orange County PA students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), West Coast University-Orange County PA students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for West Coast University-Orange County?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does West Coast University-Orange County PA cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for West Coast University-Orange County PA is $44,802 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $89,604.
What is the funding gap for West Coast University-Orange County PA?
The annual funding gap is $24,302, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($44,802) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 2-year program, the total gap is $48,604. This is below the national median of $43,948 for PA (Physician Assistant) programs.
Is West Coast University-Orange County PA classified as graduate or professional?
West Coast University-Orange County PA (MPA) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
Related Articles
Largest PA Funding Gaps
Which PA programs have the biggest shortfalls between cost and the $20,500 federal cap.
Read more →Is PA School Worth the Debt? 2026 ROI
We analyzed 137 PA programs: 100% exceed the $20,500 cap, with DTI ratios from 0.47:1 to 2.71:1.
Read more →PA Federal Loan Limit 2026
PA students face the $20,500 graduate cap despite clinical training comparable to medical programs.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from West Coast University-Orange County’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 458210.
- Program classification: MPA is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at West Coast University-Orange County PA faces an annual funding gap of $24,302 based on a cost of attendance of $44,802 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 2 years, the total funding gap is $48,604. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.