University of Arkansas PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• Middle-of-the-pack GPA — The average accepted overall GPA (3.68) 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 3.68 — a gap of 0.68. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• Lower cost — In-state tuition of $49,000 is in the least expensive quarter of PA programs. Over a career that difference is real money.

• Residency matters — Out-of-state tuition ($77,175) runs 57% above in-state. If you can establish residency, this program gets substantially cheaper.

• Strong PANCE outcomes — A first-time PANCE pass rate of 97% 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.

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

At a glance

• Location: Arkansas

• Institution type: Public

• Program length: 28 months

• Class size: 40 students

• Start month: May

• Application deadline: November

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $49,000

• Out-of-state tuition: $77,175

• Average overall GPA: 3.68

• Average science GPA: 3.62

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 3

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 97%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: Optional

• PA-CAT: No

• CASPer: Yes

• TOEFL (international applicants): Yes

• Supplemental application: Yes (fee $40)

• Shadowing: No

• Letters of recommendation: 3 — A physician or physician assistant; A supervisor (paid or unpaid); A university or college professor, or another physician or physician assistant

• Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• Prerequisite expiration: 7 years for anatomy, physiology and microbiology

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: No

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: No

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: No

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• General or Principles of Biology I and II with Labs — 8 credit hours

• Human Anatomy with Lab — 4 credit hours

• Human Physiology with Lab — 4 credit hours

• Microbiology with Lab — 4 credit hours

• Genetics or Medical Genetics — 3 credit hours

• General Chemistry I and II with Labs — 8 credit hours

• Organic Chemistry I with lab — 4 credit hours

• General Psychology — 3 credit hours

• Biostatistics or Statistics — 3 credit hours

Recommended: Medical terminology Embryology Immunology Histology Bacteriology Endocrinology Virology Neuroscience Cellular Biology Organic Chemistry Medical Ethics Speech Sociology Pathophysiology

Cost

• In-state tuition: $49,000

• Out-of-state tuition: $77,175

• Supplemental application fee: $40

• Seat deposit: $500

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• Program website: University of Arkansas

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 501-686-5730

• Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205

Program information last verified July 1, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.