Midwestern University - Downers Grove PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• GPA-competitive — The average accepted overall GPA here (3.85) sits in the top quarter of PA programs nationally. If your GPA is below about 3.66, you will want the rest of your application — hours, letters, upward trend — to do real work.

• The minimum is not the target — The stated minimum GPA is 3, but the average accepted is 3.85 — a gap of 0.85. 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.

• Large cohort — A class of 90 is among the biggest in the country. More seats improves your odds, and the alumni network is larger, but you will need to be proactive about mentorship.

• Higher cost — In-state tuition of $133,545 is in the most expensive quarter nationally. Worth weighing against your expected starting salary and loan burden.

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

• 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.

Midwestern University - Downers Grove is located in Illinois. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: Illinois

• Institution type: Private

• Program length: 24 months

• Class size: 90 students

• Start month: June

• Application deadline: October

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $133,545

• Average overall GPA: 3.85

• Average science GPA: 3.88

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 2

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 95%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: Yes

• PA-CAT: No

• CASPer: Yes

• Supplemental application: No

• Letters of recommendation: 2 — It is preferred, but not required, that one letter be written by a science professor who has taught the student or a pre-health advisory committee. The second letter can be written by any one of the following: pre-health advisory committee, pre-health advisor, college professor, or health care professional (preferably a PA) who knows the applicant well.

• Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum

• Interview format: Traditional

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: No

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: Yes

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes

• Online coursework accepted: No

Required coursework

• Biology with lab (must include at least 4 hours of Anatomy) — 8 Sem/12 Qtr hours

• General Chemistry with lab — 8 Sem/12 Qtr hours

• Organic Chemistry with lab — 4 Sem/6 Qtr hours

• Math (college algebra or above) — 3 Sem/4 Qtr hours

• English Composition — 6 Sem/9 Qtr hours

• Social and Behavioral Sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc.) — 6 Sem/9 Qtr hours

• Statistics — 3 Sem/4 Qtr hours

Recommended: Biochemistry

Cost

• In-state tuition: $133,545

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• Program website: Midwestern University - Downers Grove

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 630-971-6080

• Address: 555 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Program information last verified July 6, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.