Physician Assistant Cost of Attendance Policy Academic Year 26-27

Tuition, fees, and associated costs are published on the PA Program website and in the Student Manual and are subject to annual review and change. Any changes will be publicly posted for prospective students and formally communicated to matriculated students. Variations in associated costs may occur. 

The program does not offer a tuition lock; therefore, tuition and/or fees for Academic Year Two may increase. 

*This is a supplemental fee associated with specific courses in the curriculum.  

**Students may be required to travel to clinical sites during the clinical year. Students are responsible for all transportation, parking, and temporary transient housing costs (e.g., hotel stays while traveling to and from distant clinical sites). The additional SCPE costs are intended to represent travel-related expenses only and do not cover rent, long-term housing, utilities, food, or other living expenses incurred during the entirety of a clinical rotation. Students remain responsible for these expenses. Students are not required to maintain a residence in the Pittsburgh area during the clinical year. See attachment below for specifics.  

Carlow University PA Program

Estimated Clinical Rotation Expenses (Per 5-Week Rotation)

Clinical year travel, housing, and meal expenses will vary depending on clinical placement assignment, geographic location, and site-specific factors. As such, these costs may be substantial and should be carefully considered when estimating each student’s total clinical year expenses. 

Students are responsible for all expenses related to travel, housing, meals, and other living costs incurred during clinical rotations. 

The clinical year is structured to minimize student travel whenever possible. In addition, students are required to return to campus only once per semester during the clinical year. 

For Carlow University, the estimated total cost range for clinical year rotation expenses is approximately $32,640 to $114,560. The mid-range estimate is $73,600. 

The mid-range estimate represents the approximate midpoint between the lower and upper estimated clinical year cost ranges, based on eight five-week clinical rotations. Actual student expenses may vary depending on assigned clinical sites, location, housing choices, travel needs, and availability of lower-cost options. 

A more detailed breakdown of estimated costs is available below. 

Housing  

• Low-end estimates assume shared short-term rentals, extended-stay motels, or student-arranged sublets, generally estimated at approximately $40–$75 per night.
• High-end estimates reflect individual occupancy in hotels or furnished corporate housing, generally estimated at approximately $150–$300 per night in urban or higher-cost areas.
• Students are encouraged to explore lower-cost options, such as:
  • Short-term leases via local housing boards
  • Airbnb
  • Furnished Finder rentals
  • Roommates or group housing with fellow PA students

Travel and Living Costs 

• Travel costs include round-trip airfare, fuel, or public transit to and from clinical sites, plus local transportation, such as rental car, rideshare, subway, or other local transit.
• Mileage Rate: The IRS standard mileage rate for business travel is $0.76 per mile, effective July 1, 2026.
• Meals & Incidentals: Meals and incidental expenses reflect federal GSA M&IE per diem rates. The estimates below use current federal GSA M&IE planning rates, which commonly range from $68–$92 per day, depending on the specific destination.
• Prices vary widely by region, time of year, proximity to major cities, housing availability, and whether the placement is urban, suburban, or rural.

The table below provides the estimated average number of clinical placements located more than 50 miles from Carlow University per student during the clinical year, based on recent and projected cohort data. 

Estimated Cost Breakdown by State 

The table below shows estimated travel, housing, meal, and local transportation costs by state for one five-week clinical rotation. These estimates are intended to help students plan ahead, but actual costs may vary depending on the location, housing selected, and travel needs.