University of New Mexico PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• GPA-competitive — The average accepted overall GPA here (3.77) 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.

• The minimum is not the target — The stated minimum GPA is 3, but the average accepted is 3.77 — a gap of 0.77. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• 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.

• Lower cost — In-state tuition of $66,940 is in the least expensive quarter of PA programs. Over a career that difference is real money.

• Residency matters — Out-of-state tuition ($102,611) runs 53% above in-state. If you can establish residency, this program gets substantially cheaper.

• No extra standardized testing — No GRE, PA-CAT, or CASPer required — one less hurdle if standardized tests are not your strength.

• 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 New Mexico is located in New Mexico. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: New Mexico

• Institution type: Public

• Program length: 27 months

• Class size: 26 students

• Start month: June

• Application deadline: August

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $66,940

• Out-of-state tuition: $102,611

• Average overall GPA: 3.77

• Average science GPA: 3.62

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 1,000 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 3

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 95%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: No

• PA-CAT: No

• CASPer: No

• TOEFL (international applicants): No

• Supplemental application: Yes (fee $60)

• Shadowing: No

• Letters of recommendation: 3 — Two letters of recommendation must be from clinical references (preferred from Physician Assistants, Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or Nurse Practitioners, but may be from anyone who has worked with applicant in a clinical setting). One recommendation may be from a non-clinical professional reference such as a non-healthcare employer, an organization with which you have volunteered, or a professor.

• Patient care experience: 1,000 hours minimum

• Interview format: Interview format will be shared with selected applicants during each admissions cycle.

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• Prerequisite expiration: 10 years for science only

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: Yes

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: No

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: No

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• Microbiology Lecture & Lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours / 5 quarter hours

• General Chemistry I for STEM Majors Lecture & Lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours / 5 quarter hours

• General Chemistry II for STEM Majors Lecture & Lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours / 5 quarter hours

• Organic Chemistry I Lecture & Lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours / 5 quarter hours

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lecture & Lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours / 5 quarter hours

• Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lecture & Lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours / 5 quarter hours

• Psychology – minimum 3 semester credit hours / 4 quarter hours

Recommended: Organic Chemistry II with Lab Biochemistry or Biological Chemistry Genetics or Molecular Genetics Immunology Nutrition Statistics

Cost

• In-state tuition: $66,940

• Out-of-state tuition: $102,611

• Supplemental application fee: $60

• Seat deposit: $1,000

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• Program website: University of New Mexico

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 505.272.9864

• Address: Domenici 3010, MSC 09 5040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131

Program information last verified July 2, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.