Cost of Attendance

Total program costs including tuition and fees for the cohort starting January 2026 (Class of 2028) are $106,500. Please email the program at paadmissions@bethelu.edu with any questions.

Cost Breakdowns for Program Cohort 2026-2028

Direct costs are expenses billed directly to you by the University. Bethel's Physician Assistant Program curriculum is 27 months, spread over 7 semesters. There are a total of 147 semester hours at approximately $723.81 per credit. The total direct cost for the program entering in January 2026 is $106,500.

Year 1 (Didactic Phase): Spring, Summer, and Fall Semesters
Year 2 (Clinical Phase): Spring, Summer, and Fall Semesters
Year 3 (Clinical Phase): Spring Semester

Direct Cost of Program

* Tuition is based on full-time studies, covers the 27-month program and includes all program expenses, except a graduation fee. The program expenses include AAPA and TAPA student, library databases (Access Medicine, Up to Date, Board Vitals), memberships, equipment costs, AHA Discipline Courses, and White Coats. 

Important Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change and are determined on an annual basis by the University Board of Trustees. Any changes to tuition and fees take effect on August 1 and are communicated to students in the preceding spring semester.

Indirect Costs

Indirect costs are expenses related to the pursuit of your degree. These expenses will vary based on the individuals demographics and resources. For example, a student who lives locally and can commute will have a different estimated cost of living from one who is transitioning into the area around the program.

Students are responsible for all costs associated with travel, housing and other living expenses during the didactic phase and while completing clinical rotations.

Clinical year travel and housing costs will vary based upon clinical placement, site location and demographics.

Costs incurred with travel, housing, and meals for hub site will be substantial and must be considered when estimating individual student expenses during the clinical year.

The clinical year phase has been designed to limit student travel to the degree possible with hub assignments. Students will be required to attend virtual and in-person return-to-campus events. Students are required to be physically present at the Bethel University PA Program campus for in-person return-to-campus events (three separate two-day events) and Summative (two-four week event).

Clinical sites provide students with quality Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) that allow the student to meet program learning outcomes. Please see monthly average cost of living for each of the program’s hub locations.
 

Total cost of attendance for the program ranges from $165,000 to $196,602.

Books & Supplies: Textbooks for program can be found on the Access Medicine library database. This figure shows the estimated cost of hardback back editions per year of the program. Supplies include a required set of black scrubs with the Bethel PA Program logo

Health Insurance: Students not covered by health insurance as an individual or dependent must purchase the University health plan priced at $1,667 per year ($932 for Spring/Summer Semesters and $735 for the Fall Semester). Students have the option to waive this coverage during the Fall or Spring semesters if they already have comparable coverage. 

Living Expenses: Living Expenses include housing, food, utilities, and miscellaneous expenses and will vary during the year of the program and Hub assignment during the clinical phase (See Hub COL sheet). Minimum cost of living = Paris, TN, Maximum Cost of Living = Nashville, TN.

Travel/Relocation Expense: Travel/Relocation Expense includes travel during didactic phase for events such as PA Day on the Hill (one day event; Nashville), Cadaver Lab visits to Nashville (one day per semester), and the TAPA Conference student session being held in Nashville, TN (two-day event). Travel/relocation during the clinical year includes hub relocation to fulfill core and elective rotation requirements and return to campus events (two day event) one time per semester. On average, students can expect 3 hub relocations. Minimum relocation expenses (no relocations), Maximum relocation expenses include air, car rental, and cost of living in the Paris hub. Most relocations will result with relocation into the vicinity of the Paris hub. Return to campus costs from $0 - $700 for flight and hotel expense, depending on hub assignment.

Commute: Commuter costs are calculated for a commuter student traveling to Paris, TN daily for in-person class (roundtrip 50 miles).  Transportation calculated at 50 miles X 0.50 per mile X 5 days per week = $125/week for the clinical phase.

Financial Aid 

To be considered for federal financial aid including student loans, Physician Assistant students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year at studentaid.gov. Be sure to include Bethel's School Code: 003480. The FAFSA typically opens on October 1 of each year. We recommend that new students submit their FAFSA by December 1. Once all forms are received, we will review your file.