PA School Acceptance Rates in 2025 | GPA, GRE & Admission Insights

Getting into a Physician Assistant (PA) program is no easy task. In fact, PA school acceptance rates are generally lower than medical school rates, with an average of 31% of applicants accepted, compared to about 42% for MD programs. This makes it especially important to understand what programs expect and how your GPA, GRE, and clinical experience stack up.

This guide breaks down acceptance rates, median GPAs, GRE expectations, and program competitiveness across the U.S. helping you build a smarter application strategy and identify programs that align with your strengths.

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PA School Acceptance Rates: The Big Picture

Average PA school acceptance rate: 31%
Average medical school acceptance rate (for comparison): 42%
Typical GPA for competitive programs: 3.5+
GRE requirements: Many programs have dropped GRE requirements, but some still use it to assess readiness.

The tables below highlight both top PA programs and schools with higher acceptance rates to give you a balanced view of the admissions landscape.

Top PA Programs in the U.S. (Selected Data)

PA School	Acceptance Rate	Median GPA	Average GRE Scores
Duke University Medical Center	6%	N/A	VR 306 / Q 306 / AW 4.0
Baylor College of Medicine	3.27%	3.70	VR 161 / Q 154 / AW 4.5
University of Iowa	3.6%	3.85	VR 156 / Q 157 / AW 4.5
Emory University	2.7%	3.60	GRE not required
George Washington University	41%	3.75	VR 158 / Q 152 / AW 4.0
Oregon Health & Sciences University	3.5%	3.54	GRE not required
Rutgers University	45%	3.64	GRE not required
Stanford University	<2%	3.60	VR 158 / Q 160 / AW 4.8
Yale University	3%	3.71	Percentiles: VR 81 / Q 63 / AW 83

(For full program data, see expanded tables in this guide.)

PA Schools With Higher Acceptance Rates

If you’re looking for programs that may be less competitive (while still rigorous), here are a few with notably higher acceptance rates:

PA School	Acceptance Rate	Median GPA	GRE Requirement	Clinical Experience
University of North Texas HS Center (Ft. Worth)	45%	3.5	315	Required
University of Charleston	48%	3.6	320	Required
Midwestern University (Glendale)	55%	3.5	315	Required
Drexel University	38%	3.7	325	Required
University of Alabama–Birmingham	60%	3.2	300	Required
Nova Southeastern University (Jacksonville)	43%	3.7	325	Required
University of Bridgeport	45%	3.7	325	Not required

How to Improve Your Odds of Getting Accepted

I. Focus on GPA

Aim for 3.5 or higher in prerequisites.

II. Get meaningful clinical experience

Shadowing, volunteering, or working in healthcare settings is often required.

III. Strong recommendations matter

Choose mentors and supervisors who know your skills well.

IV. Personal statement

Show your passion for patient care and unique experiences.

V. Apply early

Many PA programs use rolling admissions.

VI. Research schools carefully

Tailor your applications to programs that fit your academic strengths and professional goals.

FAQs: PA School Acceptance Rates

#1. What’s the average acceptance rate for PA schools?

About 31% of applicants are accepted.

#2. What GPA is competitive for PA programs?

3.5+ is competitive, though some programs admit students with lower GPAs if other factors are strong.

#3. Is the GRE required?

Fewer schools are requiring it, but some still do. Always check program-specific requirements.

#4. Are PA schools harder to get into than med schools?

Acceptance rates suggest they can be more selective, though the training and scope of practice differ significantly.

#5. Do I need healthcare experience to apply?

Yes. Most programs expect direct patient care experience. The number of hours required varies widely.

Final Thoughts

PA school admissions are competitive, but understanding acceptance rates, GPA expectations, and GRE policies can help you apply strategically. Focus on programs where your profile aligns, build strong clinical and academic experience, and craft a compelling application to maximize your chances.

At Go Elective, we also know the power of supervised hands-on global health experience. Our Physician Assistant internships and Pre-PA internships in Kenya and Tanzania offer students a chance to strengthen applications, gain clinical exposure, and develop cultural competence. All skills that admissions committees value highly.

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