University of South Carolina, SOM PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• 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.

• The minimum is not the target — The stated minimum GPA is 3.2, but the average accepted is 3.78 — a gap of 0.58. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• Faster to practice — At 24 months, this program is shorter than most. That means less tuition and earlier income, but a denser schedule with little slack.

• Lower cost — In-state tuition of $60,360 is in the least expensive quarter of PA programs. Over a career that difference is real money.

• Residency matters — Out-of-state tuition ($105,040) runs 74% above in-state. If you can establish residency, this program gets substantially cheaper.

• 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 South Carolina, SOM is located in South Carolina. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: South Carolina

• Institution type: Public

• Program length: 24 months

• Class size: 30 students

• Start month: January

• Application deadline: August

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $60,360

• Out-of-state tuition: $105,040

• Average overall GPA: 3.78

• Average science GPA: 3.77

• Minimum overall GPA: 3.2

• Minimum science GPA: 3.2

• Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 3

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 100%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: Yes (minimum 306)

• PA-CAT: No

• TOEFL (international applicants): Yes

• Supplemental application: Yes

• Shadowing: No

• Letters of recommendation: 3

• Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum

• Interview format: Group interview, Multiple mini interview, scenario room

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• Prerequisite expiration: Anatomy and Physiology courses completed prior to fall 2019 academic term will NOT be accepted; other prerequisite courses do not expire

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: No

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: Yes

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• Human Anatomy and/or Human Physiology – Lecture and Lab (6 credit hours lecture, 2 credit hours lab)

• Genetics (3 credit hours)

• General Chemistry – Lecture and Lab (6 credit hours lecture, 2 credit hours lab)

• Organic Chemistry – Lecture and Lab (4 credit hours)

• Microbiology (3 credit hours)

• Introductory Psychology or Higher Level Psychology (3 credit hours)

• Statistics (3 credit hours)

• Medical Terminology (can be a certificate) (1 credit hour)

Cost

• In-state tuition: $60,360

• Out-of-state tuition: $105,040

• Seat deposit: $1,000

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• Program website: University of South Carolina, SOM

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 803-216-3950

• Address: Physician Assistant Studies Program, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29209

Program information last verified July 6, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.