Asheville Physician Assistant Program

Financial Information

A physician assistant education requires a significant investment. We have listed below an estimate for total program costs to allow for financial planning for your education.

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Cost of Attendance

The total cost of attendance includes both direct costs (expenses required for participation in the program) and indirect costs (living expenses incurred while enrolled). The tables below provide estimated costs for the full duration of the program.

Direct Program Costs:

Program Costs^a
Tuition ($12,250 per quarter X 9 quarters)	$110,250
Technology fee ($695 X 9 quarters)	$6,255
PA Program Fee	$4,455
Clinical tracking expenses^b	$100
Transcript fee	$15
Graduation fee	$300
Student state and national PA professional organization memberships	$225
Background checks and drug screening^c	$200
Professional uniforms	$200
Total Program Costs	$122,000

Other Costs^d	Asheville
Housing costs for clinical rotation year^e	$12,500
Transportation for clinical year^e,f	$1,500
Textbooks	$2,300
Medical equipment^g	$1,400
Laptop	$500
Smartphone^h	$200
Health insurance to cover immunizations, coverage for needle sticks and physical examsⁱ	$1,000
Total Other Costs	$19,400
Estimated direct cost of attendance	$141,400

Indirect Program Costs:

Food and Housing Cost per quarter	$8,118
Transportation Cost per quarter	$1,265
Personal Costs Cost per quarter	$5,082
Total Indirect Costs per quarter	$14,465
Estimated total Indirect Costs for the 27 month program (9 quarters)	$130,185

Clinical Year Travel & Housing Disclosure

The clinical year includes required Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) at program-approved clinical sites. The program makes every reasonable effort to cluster Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) geographically (for example, scheduling Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine rotations consecutively in the same region). When feasible, multiple students may be assigned to the same area to allow shared housing and transportation arrangements. Students are required to return to campus following each SCPE, in accordance with program requirements.

Clinical site assignments are determined by:

· Programmatic curricular requirements

· Availability of qualified clinical sites and preceptors

· Compliance with accreditation standards

· Student progression and competency needs

Although student geographic preferences may be collected, placement within a specific region or within commuting distance of the program is not guaranteed.

SCPE placements may be located within commuting distance of the program campus or may require travel outside the local region. Students may be assigned to placements located more than 70 miles from campus for on average 4-5 out of their 8 SCPE rotations depending on site availability and curricular needs.

Financial Responsibility

Students are responsible for all expenses associated with participation in required clinical rotations. These expenses include, but are not limited to:

· Airfare or other travel costs

· Short-term housing

· Meals and incidentals

· Local transportation or vehicle rental

· Security deposits

· Site-specific requirements

The program does not provide reimbursement or financial assistance for clinical travel or housing expenses.

Notes

^aAll costs are estimates for the full program and are subject to change. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.

ᵇ Clinical tracking is managed through the Exxat system, which maintains a permanent record of clinical experiences.

ᶜ Background checks and drug screenings are typically required annually; additional screenings may be required by certain clinical sites.

ᵈ Additional costs are based on average student expenses and may vary depending on individual preferences.

ᵉ Clinical placements may require travel outside the local region.

ᶠ Transportation estimates may include airfare for distant sites.

ᵍ Medical equipment costs vary based on student selection; purchasing opportunities are provided during orientation.

ʰ Additional smartphone service plan costs may apply.

ᶦ Continuous health insurance coverage is required; costs vary by plan.

Tuition and Fees Refund Policy

The policy for refund of tuition and fees can be found in the South College Catalog at the following link: Financial Information – South College – Acalog ACMS™.