Becoming a physician assistant, or PA, can be the start of a rewarding career of helping patients solve medical issues. The first step is to complete a physician assistant master’s degree, and to do that you’ll have to crunch some numbers and think about how to pay for PA school.
There are many ways to pay for PA school and become a physician assistant. There are federal loans and private student loan options that you can use to cover education costs and living expenses. There are also options to pay for PA school without loans. In this article, we’ll cover different scholarship programs, grants, and loans you can use to pay for PA school.
How Much Does PA School Cost?
The cost of tuition that PA school students pay heavily depends on the school, state, and residency. To become a licensed PA, students have to complete a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), and the tuition rates and fees for different PA programs can vary significantly as part of the total cost.
The Physician Assistant Life notes that, according to tuition data in 2025 from the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and an NCCPA Statistical Report, the average physician assistant school tuition—both public and private—for residents costs $98,075.1 Keep in mind that the cost of tuition is only part of the equation, you’ll also have to buy books and materials and cover your living costs. When you research different degree programs, make sure you learn how much each one costs, as the expenses for PA studies can differ widely between PA programs.
Can I Pay for a PA School Without Loans?
Yes, you can pay for a PA school without loans. This may be a preferred choice as the average federal student loan debt balance in 2025 is nearly $40,000, according to EducationData.org.2 The same article notes that, “The outstanding federal student loan balance is $1.661 trillion; 42.5 million student borrowers have federal loan debt.2 Based on this data, it’s may be good idea to avoid student loans wherever possible. Some students get financial help from their families, while others take advantage of scholarships and grants. With scholarships and grants, you don’t have to repay the money with monthly payments like a traditional student loan.
Tips to Avoid PA School Loans:
- Apply for scholarships. Before exploring loan options, you should apply for scholarship programs. Some scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, while some only cover part of a physician assistant program. Being a student member of professional organizations, such as the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), can increase your eligibility for certain awards and scholarships.
- Apply for grants. Grants are like scholarships in that you do not have to pay them back, and they are usually awarded based on financial need. Most grants only cover a small part of school costs, but they can still substantially reduce the amount you will have to pay overall.
- Save up to pay for college. Using personal savings is a key strategy. Starting to save money for school early can reduce the amount of money you need to borrow to get your degree. After high school, consider getting a job to save up some money for your education.
- Choose an accelerated degree. An accelerated master’s degree allows you to finish PA school faster and pay for fewer semesters overall. However, taking an accelerated program means you will have to complete more coursework per semester, and you have to be sure you can handle the workload.
- Enroll in a work-study program. Work-study programs help you get a job on campus while you are in school. You will need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to see if you qualify for this federal program. While attending school, consult your school’s financial aid office to learn more about available work-study and funding options.
How to Pay for PA School: 7 Ways to Pay for PA School
1. Scholarships
Scholarships usually require an application with one or more essays and are awarded to students with strong academic backgrounds. The American Academy of Physician Associates offers many scholarships through the PA Foundation, which—as of 2025—has given over $2,300,000 in scholarships to PA students.3
2. Federal Student Loans
Another way to pay for PA school is through federal loans funded by the United States government. These are fixed-interest rate, income-driven repayment loans, which means you don’t start making monthly payments until you start working. To apply for this kind of educational loan, you need to submit the FAFSA form every year you are in school.
3. Federal Work-Study Program
The federal work-study program lets students work part-time while enrolled, allowing them to earn money while attending school. Students can earn money to pay for school expenses, and the amount earned depends on the number of hours a student works. Full-time and part-time students are eligible to enroll in the program. Under this program, students will have to apply for jobs available at the school.
4. Federal Pell Grant
Students who demonstrate great financial need can qualify for the Federal Pell Grant, a form of financial assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website, “The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2025–26 award year.”4 Unlike loans, students who get this grant do not have to pay it back. You are automatically considered for a Federal Pell Grant when you submit a FAFSA application.
5. National Health Service Corps
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment program offers scholarships to certified PAs to help them pay off their student loans.5 The NHSC is one of several loan repayment programs available to health professionals, providing financial support in exchange for service commitments. Recipients must make a two or three-year service commitment as primary care providers in a facility approved by the NHSC. These programs often require service in underserved areas or with a nonprofit organization, helping to expand healthcare access where it is most needed. You will have to take out loans during PA school, but this program will help you pay off your PA school student loan debt.
6. Private Student Loans
You can take out private student loans to cover your PA school expenses. These physician assistant student loans can come from banks and other financial institutions. If you decide to take out private loans, you should only borrow what you need and find a loan with the lowest interest rate. Do your research on variable rate loans; they can be more expensive in the long run. Private lenders often require a co-signer, like a parent, spouse, or relative.
7. Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students
If you are still working on your undergraduate degree before going to PA school, you might want to consider a U.S. Department of Education Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).6 Parents of dependent undergraduates can apply for a loan that covers the total cost of attendance minus federal financial aid awarded to the student through FAFSA.
Is Going to PA School Worth It?
It depends on your career goals and your financial situation, however, becoming a physician’s assistant can be financially accesible with the right scholarship, federal funding, and student loan programs. Physician assistants earn high salaries as of 2024, earning a median income of $133,260 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).7 Plus, PA job growth is predicted to climb at a yearly rate of 20 percent through 2034. In this line of work, you’ll directly help patients with common questions and medical concerns.
Both the salary and growth rate are well above the average for all occupations in the U.S., so going by these numbers, PA school seems worth the investment if it’s your dream job.
How to Pay for PA School FAQ
Yes, you can pay for PA school without loans through a combination of scholarships, grants, family support, and work-study programs. You should only consider loans when other options are unavailable or do not provide the amount you need. Loans burden you with interest rates, and it can be hard to meet repayment terms for even the lowest rates.
According to the BLS, physician assistants make a median salary of $133,260 across the U.S., as of 2024, but location can make a big difference.7
To see if you qualify for federal student aid, you have to complete the online FAFSA form. College students are required to do this every year. Federal student aid includes scholarships, grants, and student loans.
Yes, if you are enrolled in a part-time PA program, you will have some time to work while in PA school. With a full course load, it is more challenging to work while in PA school, and in an accelerated program it would be extremely difficult. Some schools have a work-study program that lets you earn money working part-time while in school.
Sources:
1 https://www.thepalife.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-physician-assistant-pa-school/
2 https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-statistics
4 https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell
5 https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-loan-repayment-program#eligible-disciplines
6 https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/parent7 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm
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