Penn State PA Program takes rolling admissions. The average Cumulative GPA is 3.69, average Science GPA is 3.69. And the the average GRE total score is 315, the average MCAT score is 512. The tuition for Penn State University Physician Assistant Program is $78,066.
Penn State University PA Program strives to prepare graduates to be academically, clinically, professionally, and culturally competent in the delivery of health care services.
Penn State PA Program
Penn State University Physician Assistant Program is one of the best Physician Assistant programs in PA. Penn State University PA Program ranked #46 in the best PA programs in the United States. The first class of the Penn State PA Program graduated in May 2016.
Quick Review
Application Deadline
January 15
Accredited
Accreditation – Probation
International Students
Accepted
Degree
Masters
Duration
24months
Class Capacity
30
First-time PANCE pass rate
100%Five-year first-time PANCE pass rate
100%PA Program Graduation Rate
91%- Class Start Month: May
- PA Program Location: Hershey, PA
- Address: 700 HMC Crescent Road Hershey, PA 17033
- Phone: 717-531-8521
- College or School: Penn State College of Medicine
How long is the Penn State University PA Program?
The Penn State University Physician Assistant Program is a graduate program with a class length of 24 months, which needs101-credit. The PA program at Penn State College of Medicine starts each May.
Graduates of the Penn State University Physician Assistant Program will earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree.
How is the Penn State University PA Program ranking?
Although Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine is unranked in the Best Medical Schools. Penn State University is one of the best PA schools in PA. Penn State University Physician Assistant Program ranked #46 in the best PA programs in the country.
The below PA schools also ranked #46 in the best PA schools in the U.S.
- Arcadia University
- DeSales University
- Gannon University
- Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Graduation rate
The graduation rate of the Penn State University Physician Assistant Program class of 2020 is 91%.
And the recent three years Graduation rate of Penn State University Physician Assistant Program:
| Class of 2018 | Class of 2019 | Class of 2020 | |
| Maximum entering class size (approved by ARC-PA) | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Entering class size | 31 | 31 | 32 |
| Graduates | 29 | 27 | 29 |
| Graduation rate | 94% | 90% | 91% |
PANCE pass rate
Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination pass rate of Penn State University Physician Assistant Program:
- First-time PANCE pass rate: 100%
- Five-year first-time PANCE pass rate: 100%.
Accreditation Status
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation – Probation status to the Penn State University Physician Assistant Program.
PA Program Prerequisites and Admissions Requirements
Penn State University tuition and admissions requirements
Resident
$78,066
Non-Resident
$78,066
Seat Deposit
$1,000
CASPA Participant
Yes
CASPer
Not Required
Supplemental Application
Required
Cumulative GPA
3.0Science GPA
3.0HCE Hours
500Penn State University PA Program Tuition & Financial Aid
The tuition for Penn State University Physician Assistant Program is the same for the in-state and out-of-state students. The total tuition for the Penn State University PA program is $78,066. And the Books and Medical Equipment is $800. The Living Expenses (On-Campus) are estimated to be $19,068 per year.
| Items | Costs |
| Tuition | $39,033 per year |
| Books/Medical Equipment | $800 |
| Miscellaneous/Personal | $4,440 per year |
| Living Expenses (On-Campus) | $19,068 per year |
| Living Expenses (Off-Campus) | $21,168 per year |
| Health Insurance | About $3,418 per year |
Penn State Medical School offers Financial Aid for PA program students to help them to complete their studies successfully. The primary Financial Aid Sources include University Aid and Federal Aid.
Penn State University Physician Assistant Program GPA
To apply for the Penn State University Physician Assistant Program, applicants must have a CASPA-calculated overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a CASPA-calculated overall science GPA of at least 3.0.
According to the recent Penn State University Physician Assistant Program class profile, the Overall cumulative GPA ranges from 3.37 to 3.99, the average overall cumulative GPA is 3.69. The Overall science GPA ranges from range 3.46 to 4.0, and the average Overall Science GPA is 3.69.
| Items | Required minimum Scores |
| Science GPA | 3.0 |
| Cumulative GPA | 3.0 |
Penn State University acceptance rate (PA program)
According to the recent Penn State University Physician Assistant Program 2021 class profile, they received 5,031 applications, then invited 88 applicants to take part in the interviews. Finally, the Penn State University Physician Assistant program only matriculated 39 students.
That means the acceptance rate of the Penn State University Physician Assistant program is only 0.775%. This is a highly competitive PA program acceptance rate.
- Women: 50%
- Men: 50%
- Average age: 26
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| Applications received | 5,078 | 5,204 | 5,031 |
| Class size | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Applicants interviewed | 116 | 123 | 88 |
| Applicants offered admission | 38 | 41 | 39 |
| Penn State University Acceptance rate (PA program) | 0.748% | 0.788% | 0.775% |
Penn State PA Program Prerequisites and Requirements
CASPA Application and Deadline
Penn State University PA Program uses CASPA and adheres to CASPA’s Admissions Code of Conduct. All applicants must submit all application materials to the CASPA. And the secondary application is required.
Note that:
CASPA application deadline for Penn State University Physician Assistant Program is January 15.
The deadline for the secondary application is January 30.
| Application Requirements | |
| CASPA Application | Required |
| Secondary application | Required |
| Baccalaureate or graduate degree | Required |
| Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended | Required |
| Three letters of recommendation | Required |
| Personal/biographic information | Required |
| Academic history | Required |
| GRE | Required |
| GPA | Required |
| TOEFL/IELTS scores | Required |
| A minimum of 500 hours of Healthcare Experience | Required |
| Prerequisite Coursework | Required |
| Interviews | Required |
GRE, MCAT, PCAT, DAT
GRE is required for admission to the Penn State University PA Program. Penn State’s PA Program GRE Code is 0900.
Alternately, if applicants have previously tested on any exam of MCAT/PCAT/DAT, these scores in lieu of completing the GRE.
Learn from the recent Penn State University PA Program class profile, the average MCAT score is 512. And the average GRE total score is 315 (range 307 to 330).
| MCAT score | Total MCAT score of at least 29 or higher (old version) or 505 (new version) |
| DAT | Total DAT score of 18 or higher |
| PCAT | Total PCAT score 75th percentile rank or higher |
Healthcare experience hours
Penn State University Physician Assistant program requires all applicants must have a minimum of 500 hours of health care experience (paid or volunteer).
Learn from the Penn State University PA Program class profile, the average hours of patient care experience of the recently accepted students are 4,867. It ranges from 500 to 36,980.
Prerequisite Coursework
- General biology
- Microbiology
- Anatomy and physiology – two semesters (or one semester each)
- Biochemistry or organic chemistry
- General or principles of chemistry
- General psychology
- Statistics or biostatistics
- Two semesters of English composition
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