Samuel Merritt University PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• Middle-of-the-pack GPA — The average accepted overall GPA (3.62) 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 3.62 — a gap of 0.62. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• Experience-heavy — A 2,000-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.

• Higher cost — In-state tuition of $156,555 is in the most expensive quarter nationally. Worth weighing against your expected starting salary and loan burden.

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

• Recency matters — Prerequisites expire after 5 years. Older science coursework may need to be retaken.

Samuel Merritt University is located in California. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: California

• Institution type: Private

• Program length: 27 months

• Class size: 44 students

• Start month: August

• Application deadline: September

• Rolling admissions: No

• In-state tuition: $156,555

• Out-of-state tuition: $135,000

• Average overall GPA: 3.62

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 2,000 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 3

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 92%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: No

• PA-CAT: Yes

• CASPer: Yes

• TOEFL (international applicants): Yes

• Supplemental application: No

• Shadowing: No

• Letters of recommendation: 3 — One letter should be from a medical provider (PA, NP, DPM, MD, or DO) who has directly observed you in your patient care role. Competitive applicants will have at least one letter of reference from a PA.

• Patient care experience: 2,000 hours minimum

• Interview format: In-person or virtual interview including meeting with department chair, individual faculty/alumni interviews, student panel interview, multiple mini interviews and/or team-based activity

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• Prerequisite expiration: 5 years

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• Human Anatomy, introductory or advanced course, no lab required. A combined course in A&P can be used to meet the requirement only if two combined A&P courses are presented, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units

• Human Physiology, introductory or advanced course, no lab required. A combined course in A&P can be used to meet the requirement only if two combined A&P courses are presented, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units

• Microbiology, introductory or advanced course, no lab required, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units

• Biology Elective, any area of the biological sciences, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units

• Statistics, introductory or advanced course is acceptable, 3.0 semester or 5.0 quarter units

• Inorganic/General Chemistry, standard Inorganic Chemistry course or the first course of a General Chemistry course series, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units

• Organic Chemistry, standard Organic Chemistry course or the second course of a General Chemistry course series, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units

Cost

• In-state tuition: $156,555

• Out-of-state tuition: $135,000

• Seat deposit: $1,500

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• Program website: Samuel Merritt University

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 510.879.9200

• Address: 525 12th Street, Oakland, California 94607

Program information last verified June 25, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.