Tuition, Fees, and Resources
Tuition and Fees:
Physician Assistant Program graduate program tuition and fees can be found in the chart below for estimated overall program costs. Visit the Bursar’s webpage to calculate tuition and fees by semester for the current academic year (be sure to select Physician Assistant Program under Academic Career.) Tuition and fees are set by the Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and are subject to change. Please note that tuition and fees are different for Pennsylvania residents and nonresidents.
There are also fixed and variable costs that should be included in a student’s annual budget. All students must have the required textbooks, electronic resources, medical equipment, malpractice liability insurance, clearances, personal health insurance, needlestick coverage, and reliable transportation during the entirety of the program. Students must be members of AAPA and PSPA to qualify for student malpractice insurance rates, scholarships, and other benefits. Students should also consider the costs of local and distant living, travel, recreation, and dress code requirements in their annual budgets.
Any student requiring information regarding tuition refunds can find the policy here: tuition refund policy for graduate programs.
Financial Aid:
Graduate assistantships and paid tutoring positions may be available for qualified students. However, please note that PA students cannot work in administrative positions within the PA Program. Information regarding other types of financial aid for physician assistant students is available from various organizations, including:
- West Chester University’s Financial Aid Office
- Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
- National Health Service Corp
In State Tuition and University Fees
Students who will be utilizing financial aid can review their Cost of Attendance in order to review both billable and non-billable expenses.
| Semester | Credits | Tuition | Tech Fee | General Fee | Alt General Fee | Tuition/Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2 | 9 | $671 | $28 | $66 | $6,885 | |
| Fall | 20 | $671 | $1,544 | $15,523.70 | ||
| Spring | 20 | $671 | $1,544 | $15,523.70 | ||
| Summer 1 | 11 | $671 | $28 | $89 | $8,668 | |
| Summer 2 | 5 | $671 | $28 | $89 | $3,940 | |
| *Fall | 13 | $671 | $1,544 | $10,630.70 | ||
| *Winter | 4 | $671 | $28 | $89 | $3,152 | |
| *Spring | 13 | $671 | $1,544 | $10,630.70 | ||
| *Summer 1 | 4 | $671 | $28 | $89 | $3,152 | |
| *Summer 2 | 2 | $671 | $28 | $89 | $1,576 | |
| Total In-state Estimated Cost* | $79,682 |
Tuition rates and fees are determined by the Board of Governors of PA's State System of Higher Education. All costs are subject to change without notice.
*Estimates of $671 per credit are based on 2021-2022 rates.
Out of State Tuition and University fees
Students who will be utilizing financial aid can review their Cost of Attendance in order to review both billable and non-billable expenses.
| Semester | Credits | Tuition | Tech Fee | General Fee | Alt General Fee | Tuition/Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2 | 9 | $890 | $40 | $66 | $8,964 | |
| Fall | 20 | $890 | $1,544 | $20,143.70 | ||
| Spring | 20 | $890 | $1,544 | $20,143.70 | ||
| Summer 1 | 11 | $890 | $40 | $89 | $11,209 | |
| Summer 2 | 5 | $890 | $40 | $89 | $5,095 | |
| Fall | 13 | $890 | $1,544 | $13,633.70 | ||
| Winter | 4 | $890 | $40 | $89 | $4,076 | |
| Spring | 13 | $890 | $1,544 | $13,633.70 | ||
| Summer 1 | 4 | $890 | $40 | $89 | $4,076 | |
| Summer 2 | 2 | $890 | $40 | $89 | $2,038 | |
| Total Out of State Estimated Cost* | $103,013 |
Tuition rates and fees are determined by the Board of Governors of PA's State System of Higher Education. All costs are subject to change without notice.
*Estimates of $890 per credit are based on 2021-2022 rates.
Required budget considerations
| Items | Cost | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Required technology resources (laptop, printer, internet, phone/tablet, etc.) | variable | years 1 & 2 |
| Required textbooks, print, and electronic resources | $1000-1500/year | years 1 & 2 |
| Required medical equipment (can be purchased as a bundle through vendor) | $982 | year 1 |
| 2 year AAPA membership (required) | $75/2 years | year 1 |
| 2 year PSPA membership (required) | $50/2 years | year 1 |
| Commencement fee (required) | $99 | year 2 |
| Malpractice liability insurance (required 1 million/3 million) | $185/year | years 1 & 2 |
| Personal health insurance (required) | variable | years 1 & 2 |
| WCU Health Center fees (basic fee included for FT graduate students, only required to pay for visit charges) | Variable | years 1&2 |
| Needlestick and Bloodborne pathogen exposure insurance (required) | $52/year | years 1 & 2 |
| Physical examination, vaccinations, and titers (required) | $0-1500/year | years 1 & 2 |
| Criminal background check, child abuse registry, and drug screening (required) | $200/year | years 1 & 2 |
| Living expenses (Rent, utilities, etc.) | variable | years 1 & 2 |
| Clinical year distant living and travel expenses (required) | up to $5,000 | year 2 |
| University parking (optional) | $30-300/year | years 1 & 2 |
| Professional dress, labcoats, and scrubs (required) | variable | years 1 & 2 |
| Recreational costs (optional) | variable | years 1 & 2 |
| Transportation expenses (vehicle, insurance, gas, upkeep, etc.) | variable | years 1 & 2 |
| PANCE Preparation Course (required) | $400 | year 2 |
All students must have the required textbooks, electronic resources, medical equipment, malpractice liability insurance, clearances, personal health insurance, needlestick coverage, and reliable transportation during the entirety of the program.
Students must be members of AAPA and PSPA to qualify for student malpractice insurance rates, scholarships, and other benefits.
Students should consider the costs of local and distant living, travel, recreation, and dress code requirements in their budgets.
Housing
The Graduate School & University Student Housing collaborate to assist students in securing on-campus housing in The Village Apartments at West Chester University. You may also find conveniently located, off-campus housing through the Off Campus & Commuter Services (OCCS) site. OCCS was established to meet the needs of the off campus and commuter students by providing programs and resources to support your experience as a student at WCU.