GPA-competitive: The average accepted overall GPA here (3.85) 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 3.85, a gap of 0.85. 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 $68,116 is in the least expensive quarter of PA programs. Over a career that difference is real money.
Residency matters: Out-of-state tuition ($145,482) runs 114% above in-state. If you can establish residency, this program gets substantially cheaper.
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.
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.
University of South Florida is located in Florida. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.
At a glance
Location: Florida
Institution type: Public
Program length: 24 months
Class size: 50 students
Start month: May
Application deadline: September
Rolling admissions: Yes
In-state tuition: $68,116
Out-of-state tuition: $145,482
Average overall GPA: 3.85
Average science GPA: 3.82
Minimum overall GPA: 3
Minimum science GPA: 3
Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours
Letters of recommendation: 3
First-time PANCE pass rate: 92%
Accreditation status: Continued
Admission requirements
GRE: Yes
PA-CAT: No
CASPer: No
TOEFL (international applicants): Yes
Supplemental application: No
Shadowing: No
Letters of recommendation: 3: At least one letter of recommendation must be from an individual who supervised or worked with the applicant in a clinical setting. Letters should be from Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Research Mentors, Professors, Volunteer Coordinators/Supervisors who had direct interaction with the applicant.
Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum
Interview format: Traditional
Prerequisites
In-progress prerequisites accepted: No
AP or CLEP credit accepted: No
Required coursework
Microbiology with laboratory - 1 Semester (or semester hour equivalent)
Organic Chemistry with laboratory - 1 Semester (or semester hour equivalent)
Organic Chemistry II OR Biochemistry – 1 Semester (or semester hour equivalent)
Human Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory - 2 Semesters (or semester hour equivalent)
Statistics - 1 Semester (or semester hour equivalent)
Medical Terminology - 1 Semester (or an on line certificate courses)
Cost
In-state tuition: $68,116
Out-of-state tuition: $145,482
Seat deposit: $200
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.
You don’t have to navigate your application cycle alone.
That’s what Pre-PA Academy is for.
Get ongoing support throughout your PA school journey with 3–4 live sessions every week led by Savanna Perry, PA-C, and The PA Platform team. Bring your questions, get help with what you’re working on right now, and stay on track as you move toward CASPA.
Plus, get access to The PA Platform’s courses, session replays, and exclusive member discounts.
Program website: University of South Florida
Admissions page: Admissions information
Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 813-974-8926
Address: 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612
Program information last verified July 6, 2026. Requirements change, always confirm directly with the program before applying.
ABOUT THE PA PLATFORM
We help Pre-PAs get into PA school. Every coach on our team is a practicing PA, and we have been guiding applicants since 2015. Use these program spotlights to build your school list, then let us help with your essay, your interview, and your plan.
WORK WITH A PA COACH
Thirty minutes one-on-one with a practicing PA, plus a written plan for your next steps.
Line-by-line edits from PAs who know exactly what admissions committees are looking for.
Practice with a PA, then get honest feedback before the real thing.
Courses, session replays, and a community of future PAs, all in one membership.
Bundle services into a package built around where you are in the process.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Sign up for the newsletter!
