University of Dubuque PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• Middle-of-the-pack GPA — The average accepted overall GPA (3.7) 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 3.7 — a gap of 0.70. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• Longer runway — At 48 months, this is a longer program than average. Check whether the extra time buys a dual degree, a bridge/undergraduate component, or additional clinical time.

• 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.

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

At a glance

• Location: Iowa

• Institution type: Private

• Program length: 48 months

• Class size: 30 students

• Start month: August

• Application deadline: October

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $105,000

• Out-of-state tuition: $106,020

• Average overall GPA: 3.7

• Average science GPA: 3.64

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 3

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 100%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: No

• PA-CAT: No

• CASPer: No

• Supplemental application: No

• Shadowing: Yes

• Letters of recommendation: 3 — One letter must come from an academic professor, one letter must come from the supervisor/manager/director in the applicant's healthcare workplace, one letter must be a character reference from someone who has known the applicant other than family

• Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• Prerequisite expiration: 7 years

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: No

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes

• Online coursework accepted: No

Required coursework

• Human Anatomy w/Lab and Physiology I — 4 credits

• Human Anatomy w/Lab and Physiology II — 4 credits

• General Biology or Zoology with lab — 4 credits

• Microbiology (Lab Recommended) — 3 credits

• Human Genetics (Lab Recommended) — 3 credits

• General Chemistry I with Lab — 4 credits

• General Chemistry II with Lab — 4 credits

• Organic Chemistry I (Lab Recommended) — 3 credits

• Biochemistry (Lab Recommended) — 3 credits

• Medical Terminology — 1 credit

• Statistics — 3 credits

• General Psychology — 3 credits

Cost

• In-state tuition: $105,000

• Out-of-state tuition: $106,020

• Seat deposit: $1,000

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• Program website: University of Dubuque

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 563.589.3000

• Address: 2000 University Ave. Dubuque IA, 52001

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