Updated October 28, 2026
WesternU PA program acceptance rate
For the August 2026 class, Western University of Health Sciences Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies reports 1,509 applications received and 413 interviews, with 98 students enrolled. That puts the acceptance rate at about 6.5% (enrolled per applicant).
- Acceptance rate
- 6.5%
- enrolled per applicant, August 2026 class
- Applicants
- 1,509
- applications received
- Interviewed
- 413
- August 2026 class
- PANCE first-time pass rate
- 92%
- Class of July 2024 (89 first-time takers)
- Class size
- 98
- enrolled, class entering August 2026
- Average GPA
- 3.68
- class entering August 2026
- Interview format
- One-on-one (in person)
Every number is from WesternU's own PA program pages, checked October 28, 2026. Rate: 98 students enrolled out of 1,509 applications received.
WesternU's interview: one-on-one
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How the WesternU rate is worked out
WesternU publishes its own admissions numbers for the August 2026 class: 1,509 applications received, 413 interviewed, 98 enrolled. 98 divided by 1,509 is 6.5%. Source
The program does not publish how many offers it made, so this counts students who enrolled. The share offered a seat is somewhat higher, because some admitted applicants go elsewhere.
WesternU PANCE pass rate
92% of the Class of July 2024 (89 first-time takers) passed the PANCE, the national PA certification exam, on their first attempt. Its five-year first-time pass rate (2021 to 2025) is 86%. Accredited PA programs must post their NCCPA PANCE report for the last five classes. Source
Attrition was 9.2% for both the Class of 2023 and the Class of 2024, with a graduation rate of 90.8% (89 of 98 graduated each year). Source
What WesternU asks of applicants
- At least two letters of recommendation must arrive with the CASPA application. Source
- Students may not hold a job while in the program because of the demands of the curriculum. Source
- The entering class's average science GPA was 3.70 (class entering August 2026). Source
- For 2026-2027, tuition is $57,513 a year, and estimated tuition and fees are $64,470 for the first year and $69,904 for the second. Source
Check where your grades land with our CASPA GPA calculator, which follows CASPA's own grade and subject rules.
WesternU deadline for 2027 entry
For 2027 entry, the CASPA application must be in complete status (not just verified) by November 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern. Source
The WesternU PA interview
The interview is a traditional 25-minute one-on-one with general and behavioral questions, in person on the Pomona campus. Interviewers are faculty, staff and alumni, and the day also includes a PA skills lab and a campus tour. Source
About the WesternU PA program
- The Class of 2025 had only 2 students because of a non-matriculation action that the program says has since been resolved. Source
- The two-year program focuses on humanistic patient care, fair treatment of patients and professionals, and interprofessional practice and education. Source
- The program has more than 1,500 graduates since 1990. Source
Questions people ask
What is the WesternU PA program acceptance rate?
For the August 2026 class, Western University of Health Sciences Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies reports 1,509 applications received, 413 interviewed and 98 students enrolled. That is 6.5% (enrolled per applicant). The share offered a seat is somewhat higher, because some admitted applicants choose another program.
How many applicants does WesternU interview?
413 of 1,509 applicants were interviewed for the August 2026 class, about 27.4%. 98 enrolled.
What GPA do you need for the WesternU PA program?
WesternU reports an average overall GPA of 3.68 (class entering August 2026). The average science GPA was 3.70. These are typical figures, not minimums. The program's own minimums are listed under requirements on this page.
What is the WesternU PA program's PANCE pass rate?
92% of the Class of July 2024 (89 first-time takers) passed the PANCE, the national PA certification exam, on their first attempt. Its five-year first-time pass rate (2021 to 2025) is 86%.
What is the WesternU PA interview like?
The interview is a traditional 25-minute one-on-one with general and behavioral questions, in person on the Pomona campus. Interviewers are faculty, staff and alumni, and the day also includes a PA skills lab and a campus tour.
When is the WesternU PA program deadline?
For 2027 entry, the CASPA application must be in complete status (not just verified) by November 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern.
Compare other PA programs
Confetto is not affiliated with Western University of Health Sciences Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies or Western University of Health Sciences College of Health Sciences. Every figure on this page is from the program's own website (Pomona, California), checked October 28, 2026. Programs update these pages each year, so check the source links before you apply.