Physician Assistant Expenses

Required to Apply

Expense Required to Apply	Amount
CASPA*	See CASPA Website
Supplemental Application	$100

*The Gardner-Webb University Physician Assistant Program utilizes CASPA for all applications. Information regarding the CASPA application cost can be found online.

In addition, the Gardner-Webb University PA Program requires a supplemental application. Instructions for completing the supplemental application and submitting the non-refundable $100 supplemental application fee will be sent to applicants via email once their CASPA application becomes visible to PA Admissions.

Required to Matriculate

Expenses Required to Matriculate	Amount
Acceptance Deposit (non-refundable)*	$1,500
Background check (annually) Drug screen Training: HIPAA, OSHA, BBP	$159
Immunization or immunity verify	$38
Basic Cardiac Life Support	$100
Medical Equipment	$600
Computer Technology (laptop/tablet)	$2,000

*If offered a seat, the candidates must pay the $1,500 non-refundable deposit within one week of notification of acceptance to hold their seat. This money will be applied toward first-semester tuition costs. Accepted candidates who do not pay the $1,500 deposit within the required time frame forfeit their seats.

Tuition & Fees

The standard graduate tuition DOES NOT apply to students who matriculate into the GWU Physician Assistant Studies Program. The following table outlines the expected tuition and fees associated with attending the Gardner-Webb University Physician Assistant Program.

Description	Year 1 (3 semesters: Spring, Summer, Fall)	Year 2 (3 semesters: Spring, Summer, Fall)	Year 3 (1 semester: Spring)
2027 Cohort Tuition – Entering Spring 2025 ($15,510 per semester)	$46,530	$46,530	$15,020
2028 Cohort Tuition – Entering Spring 2026 ($16,130 per semester)	$48,390	$48,390	$15,510
2029 Cohort Tuition – Entering Spring 2027 ($16,130 per semester)	$48,390	$48,390	$16,130
PA Program Fees $1075/semester	$3,225	$3,225	$1,075
PA Clinical Fees $500/semester	$1,500	$1,500	$500
Digital Learning Fee ($90 x 7 semesters)	$270	$270	$90
Graduate Parking Sticker ($60/year)	$60	$60	$60
Background check Drug screen Training: HIPAA, OSHA, BBP	–	$159	–

Program Required Expenses

The table below includes estimates of additional expenses incurred by the students.

Description	Year 1 (3 semesters)	Year 2 (3 semesters)	Year 3 (1 semester
Textbooks*	$300	–	–
NCAPA (once for 28 months)	$10	–	–
AAPA (once for 28 months)	$75	–	–
Scrubs & Lab Coats	$240	–	–
Graduation Expenses (application fee and regalia)	–	–	$325
Loan Fee	$352	$352	$352
Personal Expenses	$4,128	$4,128	$2,064
Transportation	$2,550	$1,275**	**
Food & Housing**	$19,014	$19,014	$9,507

*If eBooks are used through the GWU Library, textbook fee is ~$300.
** Students are in the clinical phase of the program during the summer and fall semesters of year 2 and the spring semester of year 3. Please see the estimated cost of the clinical year below.

The following information is provided only as an estimation of potential costs during the clinical year. This information has been curated from student and alumni surveys and by the program as available. This information is subject to change based on various factors, including market factors. Students should only use this information for planning purposes.

Cost for Clinical Year

2026-2027 Estimated Costs during Clinical Year (12 months/3 semesters)

Area of Expense	Average Cost per Month
Additional Housing*	$8,442
Clinical Onboarding Fees**	$270
Transportation Costs	$1,152
Miscellaneous Costs (parking fees, scrubs)	$216
Total:	$10,026

Annually, current clinical year students are surveyed to collect the data contained in this chart.

*Housing options and costs vary. GWU does not assign/schedule housing. GWU does not evaluate, endorse or benefit from the use of any housing resources shared to students as a courtesy. The program partners with NC AHEC for most rotations during the clinical year. AHEC charges $14/night ($20/night effective June 1, 2026) for student housing. NC AHEC housing may not always be available. Some housing options such as AHEC do not accommodate spouses, children, or pets. Students may choose to arrange other housing options at their cost. Some out-of-state clinical sites offer reduced rate or free housing options. Housing costs do not include travel costs, which may include gas, mileage, airfare, or other travel costs for rotations distant from campus. Housing costs do not include the costs for students who maintain leases or mortgages during the clinical year.

While attending SCPEs (supervised clinical practice experiences), the student must be prepared to travel throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, and occasionally to other states. Therefore, the student must have reliable transportation. Failure to attend an SCPE due to lack of transport is not an excused absence and will require the student to make up the missed time and may contribute to significant delays in completing the program. Students are not guaranteed placement within an hour of campus.

**Onboarding fees are typically paid via subscription services once at the beginning of the clinical year (CastleBranch, myClinicalExchange, and RotationManager). Students may also have to pay for immunizations or other lab costs to verify required information. This cost varies based on student.