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Physician Assistant Program

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of expenses while enrolled at Northwestern and is used to determine your aid eligibility and consist of direct and indirect cost. Direct costs are billed directly by the University and include tuition, fees, and health insurance.

Indirect costs use averages based on the cost of living in Chicago and include housing, food, transportation and other personal expenses. Indirect costs are not included in your bill but should be take into account while determining the full cost of your program at Northwestern.

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First-year Second-year

First Year

PA First Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs 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 $19,649 $19,649 $19,649 $58,947
Student Anatomy Lab Fee $100 - - $100
Student Health Insurance $7,507 - - $7,507
Health Services Fee $298 $298 $298 $894
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 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) $9,559 $9,559 $9,559 $28,677
Personal $945 $1,418 $1,418 $3,781
Transportation $517 $776 $776 $2,069
Books* $1,689 - - $1,689
Loan Fees** $833 $833 $834 $2,500
Total Costs $41,221 $32,657 $32,658 $106,536

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

** Loan fees are included to offset fees charged by the Department of Education on federal loans.

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Second Year

PA Second Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs 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 $19,649 $19,649 $19,649 $58,947
Student Health Insurance* $5,996 - - $5,996
Health Services Fee $298 $298 $298 $894
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 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) $9,559 $9,559 $9,559 $28,677
Personal $945 $1,418 $1,418 $3,781
Transportation $517 $776 $776 $2,069
Books $525 $525 $525 $1,575
PANCE Fee** - - $550 $550
Loan Fees*** $833 $833 $834 $2,500
Total Costs $38,446 $33,182 $33,733 $105,361

* Health insurance is charged with Summer tuition if indicated on the University Aid Application.

** PANCE fee is for the PA required examination.

*** Loan fees are included to offset fees charged by the Department of Education on federal 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 $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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