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.

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.

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 information last verified July 7, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.

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