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Physician Assistant Program

The totals provided on the web pages below include tuition, loan fees, housing and food, transportation and other expenses that the Committee on Financial Aid to Students takes into account when determining your required educational budget.

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First-year Second-year

First Year

PA First Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. (Student Health Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan). 

Category Summer  Fall Spring Total
Tuition $19,077 $19,077 $19,077 $57,231
Student Anatomy Lab Fee $100 - - $100
Student Health Insurance $7,411 - - $7,411
Health Services Fee $287 $287 $287 $861
Student Activity Fee (U-Pass) $124 $124 $124 $372
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed on your invoice but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.

Category  Summer Fall Spring Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $8,964 $8,964 $8,964 $26,892
Personal $1,260 $1,260 $1,260 $3,780
Transportation $688 $688 $688 $2,064
Books* $1,637 - - $1,637
Loan Fees** $931 $931 $931 $2,793
Total Costs $40,479 $31,331 $31,331 $103,141

* Books budget includes $839 for equipment and $798 for books. 

** Loan fees are included to offset fees charged by the Department of Education on Stafford and Grad PLUS loans. 

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Second Year

PA Second Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice (Student Health Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan).

Category Summer  Fall Spring Total
Tuition $19,077 $19,077 $19,077 $57,231
Student Health Insurance* $5,919 - - $5,919
Health Services Fee $287 $287 $287 $861
Student Activity Fee (U-Pass) $124 $124 $124 $372
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed on your invoice but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.

Category  Summer Fall Spring Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $8,964 $8,964 $8,964 $26,892
Personal $1,260 $1,260 $1,260 $3,780
Transportation $688 $688 $688 $2,064
Books $522 $522 $522 $1,566
PANCE Fee** - - $550 $550
Loan Fees*** $931 $931 $931 $2,793
Total Costs $37,772 $31,853 $32,403 $102,028

* Health insurance is charged with Summer tuition if the student indicates on the University Aid Application that they are using health insurance. 

** PANCE fee is for the PA examination required of all PA students. 

*** Loan fees are included to offset fees charged by the Department of Education on Stafford and Grad PLUS loans. 

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Jump to:

First-year Second-year

First Year

PA First Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. (Student Health Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan). 

Category Summer  Fall Spring Total
Tuition $18,519 $18,519 $18,519 $55,557
Student Anatomy Lab Fee $100 - - $100
Student Health Insurance $6,975 - - $6,975
Health Services Fee $276 $276 $276 $828
Student Activity Fee (U-Pass) $171 $171 $171 $513
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed on your invoice but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.

Category  Summer Fall Spring Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $8,160 $8,160 $8,160 $24,480
Personal $1,200 $1,200 $1,200 $3,600
Transportation $688 $688 $688 $2,064
Books* $1,778 - - $1,778
Loan Fees** $858 $858 $858 $2,574
Total Costs $38,725 $29,872 $29,872 $98,469

* Books budget includes $980 for equipment and $798 for books. 

** Loan fees are included to offset fees charged by the Department of Education on Stafford and Grad PLUS loans. 

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Second Year

PA Second Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice (Student Health Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan).

Category Summer  Fall Spring Total
Tuition $18,519 $18,519 $18,519 $55,557
Student Health Insurance* $5,571 - - $5,571
Health Services Fee $276 $276 $276 $828
Student Activity Fee (U-Pass) $171 $171 $171 $513
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed on your invoice but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.

Category  Summer Fall Spring Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $8,160 $8,160 $8,160 $24,480
Personal $1,200 $1,200 $1,200 $3,600
Transportation $688 $688 $688 $2,064
Books $522 $522 $522 $1,566
PANCE Fee** - - $550 $550
Loan Fees*** $858 $858 $858 $2,574
Total Costs $35,965 $30,394 $30,944 $97,303

* Health insurance is charged with Summer tuition if the student indicates on the University Aid Application that they are using health insurance. 

** PANCE fee is for the PA examination required of all PA students. 

*** Loan fees are included to offset fees charged by the Department of Education on Stafford and Grad PLUS loans. 

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