Choosing the right physician assistant (PA) program can feel overwhelming. There are more than 300 accredited programs in the United States, each with different strengths, cultures, and expectations. According to data provided by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the acceptance rate in the 2024-2025 cycle was roughly 36%. With medical schools boasting a 42.9% acceptance rate to MD programs (based on data reported by the Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC] in 2025), the data suggests that gaining admission to a PA program is more challenging than ever! 

What should you look for when researching PA programs? And how can you maximize your chances of getting accepted into a PA program? Consider the following factors before submitting your Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)! 

Table of Contents:

• Accreditation Status
• PANCE Pass Rates
• Financial Fit
• Application Competitiveness
• Program Specifics
• Institutional “Fit”

Accreditation Status

Make sure the program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or has provisional accreditation if it’s a new program. Use the ARC-PA website to research program accreditation status.

Accreditation status affects the eligibility of graduates to sit for the national certification exam (and thus to practice). By granting an accreditation status, the ARC-PA ensures that the PA program meets certain quality and educational standards set by the organization.

Here are more details on each accreditation status:

• Accreditation‑Provisional: This status pertains to new or proposed PA programs that haven’t yet graduated their first class. It means ARC-PA has reviewed the program’s plans and resources and determined that, if completed as described, the program should meet the organization’s standards – but it does not guarantee eventual full/continued accreditation. The provisional status lasts until either the first cohort graduates (which is followed by a final review) or up to five years.
  
• Accreditation‑Continued: This status is awarded to programs that already meet ARC-PA’s standards. It means the program remains in good standing. Accredited-Continued status is maintained until the program closes, withdraws, or fails to meet standards.
  
• Accreditation‑Probation: This is a temporary status of at least two years given if a previously accredited (Provisional or Continued) program no longer meets the ARC-PA’s criteria. Probation status flags possible issues needing correction.
  
• Accreditation-Administrative Probation: This is a short-term accreditation status assigned when a program misses non-academic administrative requirements, such as submitting payments or reports, and prolonged noncompliance can lead to stricter review or loss of accreditation.
  
• Accreditation Withheld: When a PA program fails to meet the required accreditation standards, it receives this status. The program has a 30-day period to appeal the decision or voluntarily withdraw from the process.
  
• Accreditation Withdrawn: This status is assigned when a program no longer meets the ARC-PA’s standards and cannot deliver a satisfactory education or has failed to adhere to the ARC-PA’s administrative requirements.
  
• Voluntary Inactive: A program that temporarily stops accepting and teaching students may be granted this status, with the specific terms of this pause determined by the circumstances that caused the suspension.

PANCE Pass Rates

The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) is the licensing exam that must be completed in order to work as a PA. A school’s higher pass rates could indicate more support for the exam, a stronger learning environment, and/or higher content retention by students. Therefore, look at a program’s first-time PANCE pass rate and five-year average.

According to the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), in 2024, the average first-time PANCE pass rate in 2024 was 92%, and the total percent of test takers passing the PANCE exam was 89% (this includes examinees who took the exam more than once). When researching PA programs, look to see if their PANCE pass rates are at or above the national averages.  

Financial Fit

When thinking about your budget, consider the following financial implications: 

• In-state versus out-of-state tuition
• Scholarships
• Financial aid
• Cost of living (e.g., housing, commuting, weekly expenses)

Since tuition for PA school varies widely (from roughly $40K-$130K), and the program is so demanding that you probably won’t be able to work much or at all during your studies, it is important to think about your budget. Ask a program up front about any hidden costs including lab fees, clinical fees, technology fees, health insurance, background checks, drug screens, and immunizations. Investigate some loan repayment and forgiveness options, such as the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (in exchange for primary care service), the Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 

Application Competitiveness

Assess your application critically for all of the following: 

• Required courses and performance in each
• Matriculant GPA
• Patient care hours (PCH)
• Standardized test requirements (none/GRE/PA-CAT)

Try to apply to programs where you are within or above the average stats of admitted students.

Program Specifics

Look at programs that offer what you want, both in a learning environment and in clinical opportunities. Consider these factors: 

• Class size
• Delivery of classroom information (i.e., flipped classroom, problem-based, didactic)
• Elective rotations
• Opportunity to study abroad
• Mentorship
• Program length (24-30 months)
• Technology integration
• Interprofessional learning (i.e., classes with medical, dental, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy students)
• Strong local clinical partnerships

Utilize the PAEA, which offers the CASPA Program Directory. You can apply filters to narrow down programs by state, degree offered, healthcare experience, minimum GPA, and start month. 

Institutional “Fit”

Ask yourself “How am I a ‘fit’?” for every school to which you plan to apply. What unique aspects are you bringing to the classroom? And what does that school/program have to offer that is appealing to you? Read the school’s mission statement and then answer the following questions: 

• Do you enjoy working with a particular patient population? 
• Is there an aspect of healthcare you are passionate about, and do you know a school that can provide in-depth learning in that domain? 
• Do you have a research background and hope to continue some aspect of research while in PA school? 
• Is there an area of the country where you feel culturally tied and you want to train and eventually serve that same community? 

For more help with choosing the best PA programs for you and preparing your CASPA application, contact me or my fellow expert admissions consultants for guidance. We look forward to working with you and helping you get Accepted!

Related Resources

• How to Get Accepted to Duke’s Physician Assistant Program [Episode 591], Accepted’s Admissions Straight Talk podcast
• The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Physician Assistant, a free guide
• Common Mistakes PA Applicants Make, Accepted YouTube video