PA schools that don’t require the GRE – ranked

Enrolling in a physician assistant studies master’s program is a smart career move on several fronts.

Not only can physician assistants give back to medically underserved communities with quality patient care, they also earn above-average salaries while doing it: the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that physician assistants earn a median salary of $126,010 (as of 2022).

In the past, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) have often served as an obstacle to getting into competitive PA programs – especially for those who just aren’t good at maneuvering standardized tests.

If that sounds like you, or you’re simply hesitant to put in more time and money toward the GRE, we have good news for you: plenty of reputable PA schools don’t require the GRE.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the best PA schools that don’t require the GRE – ranked by program cost and earning potential – to help you narrow down the right PA programs for your aspirations (and wallet).

» More like this: Medical degrees and healthcare careers

Is the GRE required for physician assistant programs?

In large part, no, the GRE is no longer a requirement for most PA programs. PAEA Research’s (2021) Program Report found that only 42.6% of PA programs require the GRE exam.

While some physician assistant schools have dropped the GRE requirement entirely, others have taken a “test-optional” route. The latter approach, however, may put non-test-takers at a disadvantage (although this is near to impossible to prove).

Why grad schools are dropping the GRE requirement

In recent years, the GRE’s potential as a predictor of how well students fare in PA graduate programs, and later on the PANCE exam, has been subject to debate. It appears, some opponents argue, that the only skill the GRE puts to the test is a student’s ability to take standardized tests.

The decision to do away with the GRE also comes at a time when PA school admissions are making concerted efforts to remove barriers to entry for Black, non-white, and economically disadvantaged applicants.

Some demographics, namely, those who are white and male, tend to score higher on the GRE than others. And, at $220 per test, not to mention the added cost of prep courses or multiple attempts at passing, the GRE puts low-income groups at a clear disadvantage.

Should you take the GRE for GRE-optional schools?

Between keeping the GRE and removing it completely, some PA schools are in the murkier category of “GRE-optional,” raising the question of whether taking the GRE (or submitting lower-than-average scores) is a good idea.

If you’re lucky, test-optional schools state their preference for submitting test scores on their website. Stanford’s PA program, for example, while being test-optional, recommends submitting GRE scores.

For GRE-optional PA schools without a clear stance on GRE scores, consider reaching out to the program admissions officers to ask for it. If you’ve already taken the GRE, check if your scores are in line with the average GRE scores of admitted applicants for the PA program you’re interested in.

A good rule of thumb for gauging whether submitting GRE scores to GRE-optional PA schools makes sense:

Best PA schools in the U.S. that don’t require GRE – by value for money

With a collective move away from the GRE, there is no shortage of physician assistant programs that don’t require it. The challenge, though, is sifting through them to find ones that offer a good return on investment, or cost-to-earnings ratio.

To help, we’ve compiled the top physician assistant master’s programs in the United States, excluding schools that still require the GRE, and ranked them by economic score.

An economic score is our term for the ratio of annual net program cost (after federal student aid) and average salary 4 years after graduation. Hint: the lower the economic score, the sooner the investment pays off.

Note that our ranking methodology draws from government data only. Sources include the Department of Education’s IPEDS, College Scorecard, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With that, let’s go!

Other top-ranked PA schools that don’t require the GRE

Not seeing a PA program that sounds right for you on the curated list above?

Here are a few other reputable programs that don’t require the GRE – and offer the right return on investment (ROI) by cost and average future earnings.

• Drexel University
• Duquesne University
• Hofstra University
• Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
• Tufts University
• Quinnipiac University
• University of Pittsburgh
• Sacred Heart University

PA school prerequisites to keep in mind

Without the GRE as a core requirement, PA schools evaluate a student’s application holistically.

Common admission requirements for physician assistant graduate programs

• An undergraduate degree. A health sciences-related degree is sometimes stated as optional (but advantageous).
• Prerequisite coursework. Programs outline the required number of semester credit hours of science and non-science courses. While they vary by program, courses typically include biology, anatomy, chemistry, psychology, English writing and composition, and statistics.
• Letters of recommendation. Generally, 2-3 letters are required, ideally from academic or professional contacts in healthcare.
• Healthcare/patient care experience. Many programs – not all – require that students have earned somewhere between 500 and 2,000 hours of clinical experience. The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) notes that applicants typically have about 3 years of experience.

Beyond these markers of academic performance and professional experience, PA program admissions value interpersonal skills and cultural competency due to the people-focused nature of the field and the diverse populations served.

PA school GPA requirements

Most physician assistant programs have a minimum GPA requirement (cumulative and science). Depending on program selectiveness, that GPA typically falls somewhere between 3.0-3.6.

That said, most top PA programs require a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

Remember, though, that a minimum GPA is more a tool to weed out ineligible applicants than an accurate reflection of the average admitted student.

Often, the minimum GPA and average GPA of admitted students are 2 different things. For instance, while the University of Iowa’s PA program notes a minimum GPA of 3.0, the average GPA for the 2023 matriculated class was 3.85.

So, while reviewing PA programs, make sure to look up their matriculation data, too, to ensure that you’re a competitive applicant. According to CASPA, the average overall GPA (science and cumulative) was 3.64 for the 2022-2023 cycle.

(If you’re worried that your GPA may not make the cut, check out our article on colleges with lower GPA requirements).

Should you apply to PA programs that don’t require the GRE?

With the GRE has been phased out as a requirement in many PA programs, you’ll need to make sure you have the right educational and practical experience lined up to shine as a candidate. The good news? Without worrying about the GRE, you can dedicate more effort to honing these areas.

While you may have little control over some elements of your application, for instance, a below-average undergraduate GPA, others can be worked on. Focus on collecting meaningful clinical or volunteer experience and developing close professional relationships in the healthcare field to secure glowing recommendation letters.

Ultimately, PA programs are looking for demonstrated passion for the field – and good grades and test scores aren’t always the most reflective of that commitment.

Final thoughts

Physician assistant master’s programs are competitive, but if you showcase relevant experience and enthusiasm for the profession, they are far from impossible to get into.

Luckily, the decision by many PA schools to remove the GRE as a prerequisite has made the application process more straightforward, and, hopefully, more equitable.

Still on the fence about whether a PA master’s program is the right fit, but don’t know how to narrow down your choice of a healthcare graduate program? Consider taking our mini quiz below to land on a program that makes sense for you.