Northwestern University PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• Experience-heavy — A 1,000-hour patient care minimum is at or above the national 75th percentile. Plan on a year or more of full-time work before you apply.

• 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.

• Higher cost — In-state tuition of $187,766 is in the most expensive quarter nationally. Worth weighing against your expected starting salary and loan burden.

• No extra standardized testing — No GRE, PA-CAT, or CASPer required — one less hurdle if standardized tests are not your strength.

• Strong PANCE outcomes — A first-time PANCE pass rate of 98% 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.

Northwestern University 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: 36 students

• Start month: May

• Application deadline: September

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $187,766

• Minimum overall GPA: 3.3

• Minimum science GPA: 3.3

• Minimum PCE hours: 1,000 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 2

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 98%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: No

• PA-CAT: No

• CASPer: No

• TOEFL (international applicants): Yes

• Supplemental application: Yes (fee $50)

• Shadowing: No

• Letters of recommendation: 2

• Patient care experience: 1,000 hours minimum

• Interview format: Selected applicants will be invited to interview (unsure if virtual or in-person)

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• Prerequisite expiration: 7 years

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: Yes

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: Yes

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• Biochemistry — one academic term, minimum three college credits

• Microbiology — one academic term, minimum three college credits

• Statistics — one academic term, minimum three college credits

• Medical Terminology — one academic term, minimum one college credit

• Anatomy & Physiology — two academic terms, minimum six college credits

Cost

• In-state tuition: $187,766

• Supplemental application fee: $50

• Seat deposit: $500

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• Program website: Northwestern University

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 312-503-1851

• Address: 240 East Huron Street, McGaw Pavillion, Suite 1-200, Chicago, IL 60611

Program information last verified June 23, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.