University of the Pacific PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats
Who This Program May Be A Good Fit For
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.
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.
Higher cost: In-state tuition of $138,887 is in the most expensive quarter nationally. Worth weighing against your expected starting salary and loan burden.
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.
ONE-ON-ONE HELP
Not sure how you stack up for this program?
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.
Program Details
University of the Pacific is located in California. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.
At a glance
Location: California
Institution type: Private
Program length: 27 months
Class size: 45 students
Start month: January
Application deadline: August
Rolling admissions: No
In-state tuition: $138,887
Average overall GPA: 3.7
Average science GPA: 3.65
Minimum overall GPA: 3
Minimum science GPA: 3
Minimum PCE hours: 1,000 hours
Letters of recommendation: 1
First-time PANCE pass rate: 100%
Accreditation status: Continued
Admission requirements
GRE: No
PA-CAT: No
CASPer: No
TOEFL (international applicants): Yes
Supplemental application: No
Shadowing: Recommended
Letters of recommendation: 1
Patient care experience: 1,000 hours minimum
Interview format: Interviewees participate in a day-long event that includes social activities, a panel interview, and group interviews
Prerequisites
In-progress prerequisites accepted: No
AP or CLEP credit accepted: No
Online coursework accepted: Yes
Required coursework
General Chemistry: Two courses with a minimum of 1 lab. Total of 8 semester units or 12 quarter units. Should be a course sequence designed for chemistry majors.
Biological Sciences: Two courses with a minimum of 1 lab. Total of 6 semester or 9 quarter units. Should be a course sequence designed for biology majors.
Human Anatomy: One course with lab is required. Total of 4 semester or 5 quarter units with lab (or combined Anatomy & Physiology).
Human Physiology: One course is required. Total of 4 semester or 5 quarter units (or combined Anatomy & Physiology). Lab recommended, but not required.
Microbiology: One course is required. Total of 3 semester units or 4 quarter units. Lab recommended, but not required.
Math: One course in Statistics is required. Total of 3 semester or 4 quarter units.
Psychology: One course in General or Abnormal Psychology is required. Total of 3 semester or 4 quarter units.
English Composition: Two courses are required. Total of 6 semester or 9 quarter units. Minimum of 1 composition course; 2nd course can be composition, literature, or writing intensive course. English as a Second Language courses will not fulfill this requirement.
Cost
In-state tuition: $138,887
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.
Listen: inside the University of the Pacific PA program
We have talked with people connected to this program on The Pre-PA Club podcast. Press play to hear it directly from them.
Episode show notes, takeaways & chapters
A profound examination of the intricacies surrounding PA school admissions unfolds as I engage in a discourse with Jed Grant, the esteemed admissions director at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento. We embark on a detailed exploration of the admissions process, shedding light on the essential qualifications and experiences sought by the program. Mr. Grant elucidates the significance of sincerity in personal statements, as he emphasizes the need for applicants to articulate their motivations for pursuing a career as a physician assistant. This episode underscores the importance of genuine passion and commitment over mere academic accolades, providing pre-PA students with invaluable insights into what truly resonates with admissions committees.
Furthermore, the discussion navigates the current challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting its potential impact on application cycles and interview processes. Grant reflects on the adaptations that educational institutions are compelled to make in response to unprecedented circumstances, offering a glimpse into how the University of the Pacific intends to maintain its rigorous standards amidst such challenges. This episode serves as a crucial resource for aspiring PAs, equipping them with the knowledge necessary to enhance their applications and approach their interviews with confidence and authenticity.
What we cover
- Jed Grant, the admissions director at the University of the Pacific, emphasizes the importance of sincerity in personal statements for PA school applications.
- It is crucial for applicants to have a complete application ready by August 1st, including all prerequisite coursework and healthcare experience hours.
- The University of the Pacific's PA program offers a 27-month master's degree with a strong emphasis on clinical skills and procedural training.
- Jed suggests that having a gap year to gain healthcare experience can enhance an applicant's strength and readiness for PA school.
- The admissions process involves screening thousands of applications and selecting candidates based on holistic criteria, beyond just GPA and test scores.
- During interviews, it is vital for applicants to demonstrate their genuine passion for becoming PAs and to interact positively with everyone involved.
Chapters
- 0:00 – Introduction to PA School Admissions
- 7:55 – Introduction to the University of the Pacific PA Program
- 13:41 – Admissions Process Overview
- 25:47 – Understanding the Application Process and Personal Statements
- 30:41 – Impact of Coronavirus on PA School Applications
Episode: University of the Pacific PA School Admissions Director - Jed Grant, PA-C · Follow The Pre-PA Club on Apple Podcasts or Spotify · Browse all episodes
Program Contact
Program website: University of the Pacific
Admissions page: Admissions information
Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 209.946.2211
Address: 3601 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95211
Program information last verified July 7, 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!
