Stanford University PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

Who This Program May Be A Good Fit For

  • More forgiving on GPA: The average accepted overall GPA (3.5) is in the lower quarter nationally, which makes this a realistic target for applicants whose numbers are the weakest part of their file.

  • Higher cost: In-state tuition of $182,924 is in the most expensive quarter nationally. Worth weighing against your expected starting salary and loan burden.

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Program Details

Stanford 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: 28 students

  • Start month: August

  • Application deadline: July

  • Rolling admissions: No

  • In-state tuition: $182,924

  • Average overall GPA: 3.5

  • Average science GPA: 3.5

  • Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours

  • Letters of recommendation: 3

  • First-time PANCE pass rate: 93%

  • Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

  • GRE: Optional

  • PA-CAT: Yes

  • CASPer: No

  • TOEFL (international applicants): No

  • Supplemental application: No

  • Shadowing: Recommended

  • Letters of recommendation: 3, a physician assistant, a physician, and a person who can speak to the applicant's academic potential

  • Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum

  • Interview format: Traditional

Prerequisites

  • Prerequisite expiration: 10 years

  • In-progress prerequisites accepted: No

  • AP or CLEP credit accepted: No

  • Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes

  • Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

  • Biology (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of General Biology or Human Biology)

  • Microbiology (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of Microbiology)

  • Anatomy & Physiology (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of Anatomy and at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of Physiology including Animal, Human, or Exercise Physiology, or two semesters/quarters, 6-10 units or credits of combined Anatomy and Physiology course)

  • Chemistry (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of General Chemistry or Biochemistry)

  • Organic Chemistry (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of Organic Chemistry)

  • Statistics (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of General Statistics or Biostatistics)

  • Psychology (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of General Psychology)

  • Upper Division Courses (three additional upper-division bioscience courses, 3-5 units or credits each)

Recommended: Medical Terminology

Cost

  • In-state tuition: $182,924

  • Seat deposit: $1,000

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 Contact

Program information last verified June 26, 2026. Requirements change, always confirm directly with the program before applying.

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