More forgiving on GPA: The average accepted overall GPA (3) is in the lower quarter nationally, which makes this a realistic target for applicants whose numbers are the weakest part of their file.
Residency matters: Out-of-state tuition ($118,764) runs 42% above in-state. If you can establish residency, this program gets substantially cheaper.
No extra standardized testing: No GRE, PA-CAT, or CASPer required, one less hurdle if standardized tests are not your strength.
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.
ONE-ON-ONE HELP
Book a Pre-PA Counseling session and spend thirty minutes one-on-one with a practicing PA who knows what admissions committees look for. We will go through your GPA, patient care hours, and school list together, and you will get a written plan for your next steps in your inbox within 24 hours.
Northern Arizona University is located in Arizona. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.
At a glance
Location: Arizona
Institution type: Public
Program length: 27 months
Class size: 60 students
Start month: August
Application deadline: September
Rolling admissions: Yes
In-state tuition: $83,780
Out-of-state tuition: $118,764
Average overall GPA: 3
Average science GPA: 3
Minimum overall GPA: 3
Minimum science GPA: 3
Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours
Letters of recommendation: 3
First-time PANCE pass rate: 96%
Accreditation status: Continued
Admission requirements
GRE: No
PA-CAT: No
CASPer: No
TOEFL (international applicants): Yes
Supplemental application: Yes (fee $65)
Shadowing: No
Letters of recommendation: 3: Healthcare professionals applicants have shadowed or worked with, employers/supervisors, and professors are preferred. Letters from friends and family are discouraged.
Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum
Interview format: Virtual
Prerequisites
Minimum prerequisite grade: C
Prerequisite expiration: No expiration, but applicants should ensure that at least 9 credits of science coursework are taken in the last 5 years
In-progress prerequisites accepted: No
AP or CLEP credit accepted: Yes
Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes
Online coursework accepted: Yes
Required coursework
General Chemistry I (with lab)
General Chemistry II (with lab)
Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
General Biology (lecture)
Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)
Microbiology (with lab)
Statistics
Additional Sciences (12 credit hours)
Cost
In-state tuition: $83,780
Out-of-state tuition: $118,764
Supplemental application fee: $65
Want to compare your stats to this program? Pre-PA Bestie is a free, always-updated PA program database where you can save schools and see how your numbers line up. Check out Pre-PA Bestie.
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Program website: Northern Arizona University
Admissions page: Admissions information
Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (602) 298-4015
Address: Phoenix Bioscience Campus, downtown Phoenix, between 5th and 7th Streets and Van Buren Street
Program information last verified June 23, 2026. Requirements change, always confirm directly with the program before applying.
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