Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program
Tuition and Scholarships
Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee
$18,061/term* or $126,427 tuition to complete the program
SCU’s distinctive Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs provides students with confidence in planning for their educational investment.
Fixed Tuition Guarantee Benefits:
- Your per term rate is guaranteed for the scheduled duration of your program*
- No tuition price uncertainty
- Plan your finances in advance
Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Program page聽for more information.
If you would like to learn more about fixed-rate tuition, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
* Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Note: Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program (7 Terms)
| Charges from SCU by Term | Charges from Third Parties by Term | ||||||||
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | EXXAT Fees | MSPA Uniform Scrubs | Petition to Graduate Fee | Clinical Fees (ACLS/BLS) | Medical Equipment | Background Check | Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | $18,061 | $467 | $263 | $90 | $1,160 | $125 | $20,166 | ||
| 2 | $18,061 | $467 | $18,528 | ||||||
| 3 | $18,061 | $467 | $18,528 | ||||||
| 4 | $18,061 | $467 | $125 | $18,653 | |||||
| 5 | $18,061 | $467 | $200 | $18,728 | |||||
| 6 | $18,061 | $467 | $50 | $18,578 | |||||
| 7 | $18,061 | $467 | $225 | $18,753 | |||||
| Totals | $126,427 | $3,269 | $263 | $90 | $225 | $200 | $1,160 | $300 | $131,934 |
Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression. Students should be aware that making changes to their program, such as switching term tracks, extending their graduation timeline, or moving between full-time and part-time enrollment, may result in an increase in total program tuition costs. Before making any changes, we strongly encourage you to consult with your academic advisor, the Student Accounts Office, and the Financial Aid Office (if needed) to fully understand the potential financial implications.
* PA students enrolled in less than 12 credits will be charged on a per-credit basis of $1,505 per credit. Tuition is billed by credit hour and rates reflected above represent the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2025/2026 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on the website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled.
** Program fees listed are for the 2025/2026 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, malpractice insurance, student health, professional affiliation, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) practice exam(s), fit testing, Instructors for Genitourinary Examinations, and ASB, and are charged every term that the student is enrolled.
*** Books, supplies, and other equipment not included in the tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.
Fees associated with conditional acceptance are the responsibility of the student, subject to change, and include the following:
- Nonrefundable tuition deposit: $1,000 (applied against tuition)
- Proof of immunization status
- Proof of healthcare insurance
- Physical examination clearance for participation in the program
- Background check* and drug screen
* The standard background check includes all third-party fees other than the New York Statewide (NYOCA) which would be billed to the school, when applicable. The current NYOCA fee as of February 2025 is $108. Please note this is not a Universal background check fee, it is a state of New York fee that is subject to change at any time.
The student will assume the cost of living expenses (including housing), transportation, textbooks and course materials, laptop computer, miscellaneous expenses, and loan fees (if applicable) as outlined in the cost of attendance. Students are responsible for these expenses during the didactic and clinical years. Expenses during the clinical year will vary depending on the location of each rotation site.
The majority of clinical rotations, while enrolled in the SCU MSPA Program, are within a 100-mile radius of campus, however, students are expected to travel to rotation sites regardless of distance from campus.
Total Cost of Attendance & Value of the MSPA Degree
Understanding the full cost of your Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program is an important part of your enrollment decision. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) establishes a new federal financial-aid framework scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, with anticipated implications for how SCU graduate students fund their education starting in the 2026鈥�2027 academic year.1
Under OBBBA, students may use a combination of federal unsubsidized loans, private education loans, scholarships, and personal resources to cover their total cost of attendance (COA).
The estimates below reflect a typical California-based student and are provided for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary based on individual living arrangements, transportation choices, and personal spending decisions. To determine your personalized cost of attendance, please contact SCU鈥檚 Financial Aid Office at financialaid@scuhs.edu.
Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance (COA)
SCU鈥檚 Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program runs 3 terms per academic year, and the estimated annual cost of attendance includes both direct costs (paid to SCU) and indirect costs associated with living and studying in California.2 These figures are estimates for planning purposes only, additional fees may be required and may change annually.聽 Visit for additional details.
| Category | Estimated Annual Cost With Parent/Relative | Estimated Annual Cost Off-Campus |
| Tuition | $54,183 | $54,183 |
| University Fees3 | $2,275 | $2,275 |
| Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment | $2,301 | $2,301 |
| Living Expenses | – | $32,748 |
| Transportation | $2,208 | $2,208 |
| Personal Expenses | $7,608 | $7,608 |
| Loan Fees4 | $1,245 | $1,245 |
| Total Estimated Annual COA | $69,820 | $102,568 |
Financing Your Education Under OBBBA (Effective July 1, 2026)
Beginning in 2026, OBBBA introduces a new financial aid structure for graduate students. As an SCU OTD student, your financing plan may include the following:
- Federal Unsubsidized Loan: Anticipated caps of up to $10,250 per term (3 terms per academic year) or $30,750 a year, subject to applicable federal annual5/lifetime limits in effect for the award year. Interest accrues from the time of disbursement, and these loans often serve as the foundation of a student鈥檚 borrowing plan.
- Private Education Loans: Offered through participating lenders; terms vary. Some lenders may subsidize interest while you are enrolled, and terms are credit-based and vary by private lender. SCU provides students with access to private lenders through the 6.
- Scholarships: SCU offers merit and need-based awards that reduce total borrowing. Visit Scholarships for details.
- Remaining Costs: Typically covered through scholarships, private loans, or personal resources.
SCU鈥檚 Financial Aid team is available to help you evaluate options and build a personalized financing approach.
Evaluating the Return on Investment
A Master of Science Physician Assistant degree offers professional and financial value, particularly in California鈥檚 health-care environment. Individual outcomes vary widely based on geographic location, practice setting, hours worked, and business ownership.
- Physician Assistant earnings: Range from $161,080 average to $219,3007 at the 90% percentile annually.
- Repayment considerations: Loan-repayment timelines depend on total borrowing, income, and repayment plan selection.
- Long-term outlook: Over a multi-decade career, chiropractors may generate substantial lifetime earnings, depending on market conditions and professional trajectory.
Your results will differ. SCU鈥檚 Financial Aid team can help you model scenarios based on your anticipated borrowing and career goals.
1 The information provided reflects current understanding of the federal financial aid changes under OBBBA as of 2/10/26 and is not intended to be legal advice. Many aspects of implementation, including transition rules, eligibility criteria, and timelines, are still subject to rulemaking and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. Policies, processes, and guidance may change as new details emerge, and SCU will update this page. Please also consult federal resources at for additional information or contact the SCU Financial Aid Team directly at financialaid@scuhs.edu.
2 COA is a budgeting and financial aid eligibility figure. Your actual bill from SCU typically only includes direct costs.
3 Typical fees on an annual basis
4 Loan fees vary based on federal rates and borrowing amounts in a given academic year.
5 SCU鈥檚 MSPA program runs 3 terms per academic year; the 鈥渁nnual鈥� COA reflects three terms.
6 SCU does not endorse any specific lender; terms vary by borrower’s creditworthiness.
7 Source: