GPA-competitive: The average accepted overall GPA here (3.78) 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.
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.
Higher cost: In-state tuition of $121,434 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 100% 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.
Stricter prerequisite grades: A minimum of B- in prerequisites is tougher than the typical C. Recheck your transcript before you invest in the application.
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.
Tufts University is located in Massachusetts. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.
At a glance
Location: Massachusetts
Institution type: Private
Program length: 25 months
Class size: 50 students
Start month: January
Application deadline: August
Rolling admissions: Yes
In-state tuition: $121,434
Average overall GPA: 3.78
Average science GPA: 3.77
Minimum overall GPA: 3.4
Minimum science GPA: 3
Minimum PCE hours: 1,000 hours
Letters of recommendation: 1
First-time PANCE pass rate: 100%
Accreditation status: Continued
Admission requirements
GRE: No
PA-CAT: No
CASPer: No
TOEFL (international applicants): Yes
Supplemental application: Yes
Shadowing: No
Letters of recommendation: 1: At least one reference from a supervisor in direct patient care setting
Patient care experience: 1,000 hours minimum
Interview format: two-hour program overview with student Q &A, and two separate interviews (25 minutes each) with a principal faculty member and then either a clinical preceptor or alumni.
Prerequisites
Minimum prerequisite grade: B-
Prerequisite expiration: 10 years
In-progress prerequisites accepted: No
AP or CLEP credit accepted: No
Pass/Fail coursework accepted: No
Online coursework accepted: Yes
Required coursework
Human Anatomy and Physiology (I & II) – 2 semesters
General Biology (I & II with lab) – 2 semesters, each semester with lab
General Chemistry (I & II with lab) – 2 semesters, each semester with lab
Organic chemistry will be accepted
Microbiology (with lab) – 1 semester
Statistics – 1 semester
Recommended: Medical Terminology Biochemistry Psychology
Cost
In-state tuition: $121,434
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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We have talked with people connected to this program on The Pre-PA Club podcast. Press play to hear it directly from them.
Kat shares her unique experience of pursuing a dual degree in Physician Assistant studies and Public Health, shedding light on the advantages and challenges associated with this path. She discusses her decision-making process, which involved applying to ten programs, including three dual-degree options, and highlights the importance of patient care experience and public health knowledge in shaping her future career. Kat emphasizes that her education in public health not only enhances her understanding of healthcare but also prepares her to advocate for underserved communities. As she transitions into PA school, she reflects on the skills she has gained and how they will benefit both her patients and her professional growth. This episode serves as an informative resource for those considering a similar trajectory in the healthcare field.
What we cover
Chapters
Episode: PA/MPH Student Interview - Kat at Tufts University · Follow The Pre-PA Club on Apple Podcasts or Spotify · Browse all episodes
Program website: Tufts University
Admissions page: Admissions information
Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-636-0405
Address: 136 Harrison Ave, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
Program information last verified June 30, 2026. Requirements change, always confirm directly with the program before applying.
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