Marist College PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• Middle-of-the-pack GPA — The average accepted overall GPA (3.71) is close to the national middle, so a solid-but-not-spectacular academic record is genuinely competitive here.

• The minimum is not the target — The stated minimum GPA is 3, but the average accepted is 3.71 — a gap of 0.71. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• Faster to practice — At 24 months, this program is shorter than most. That means less tuition and earlier income, but a denser schedule with little slack.

• Heavier testing load — This program requires GRE and PA-CAT. Budget the extra prep time and exam fees before your deadline.

• Strong PANCE outcomes — A first-time PANCE pass rate of 97% is above the national average.

• Apply early — Admissions are rolling, so seats come off the board as the cycle goes. An application submitted in the first few weeks is worth more than the same application submitted in month four.

Marist College is located in New York. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: New York

• Institution type: Private

• Program length: 24 months

• Class size: 60 students

• Start month: May

• Application deadline: October

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $107,550

• Average overall GPA: 3.71

• Average science GPA: 3.63

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 3

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 97%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: Yes

• PA-CAT: Yes

• CASPer: No

• TOEFL (international applicants): Yes

• Supplemental application: No

• Shadowing: No

• Letters of recommendation: 3 — One reference must be from a Physician or Physician Assistant/Associate, and another must be from a supervisor associated with the applicant's direct patient care experience

• Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum

• Interview format: Typically between 10-20% of applicants are invited for an interview. Selection for an interview is based on information contained in the CASPA application, including academic and personal achievements. Interviews are structured to evaluate a candidate's skills (e.g., interpersonal, communication, time management) and other professional characteristics including motivation for entry into the PA field.

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• Prerequisite expiration: 7 years for some courses; no time limit for General Biology I & II, General Chemistry I & II, and Statistics

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: No

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: No

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• General Biology I with Lab (4 credits)

• General Biology II with Lab (4 credits)

• General Chemistry I with Lab (4 credits)

• General Chemistry II with Lab (4 credits)

• Statistics (3 credits)

• Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (or Human Anatomy with lab if combined with Human Physiology) - (4 credits)

• Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (or Human Physiology with lab if combined with Human Anatomy) - (4 credits)

• Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)

• Organic Chemistry I or Principles of Organic Chemistry with Lab (4 credits)

• Biochemistry I (3 credits - lab not required)

• A second semester of Organic Chemistry may be substituted for Biochemistry I

Cost

• In-state tuition: $107,550

• Seat deposit: $1,500

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• Program website: Marist College

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 845-575-3484

• Address: Marist University, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Program information last verified June 19, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.