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Address & Contact

Our Address

Idaho State University-Meridian 1311 E. Central Drive Meridian, Idaho 83642

GPS

43.59651531592416, -116.37846020308798

Telephone

208-373-1804

Email

[email protected]://isu.edu/pa/

Web

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PROGRAM PROFILE

Idaho State University-Meridian Physician Assistant Program

Meridian, Idaho · Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Continued accreditation ↗On campus ↗24 months ↗
Save schoolCompareProgram website
Application deadline Nov 1, 2026Submit CASPA and Graduate School applications by deadline
Tuition Resident: Approximately $26,457.72 projected full-program tuitionNonresident: Approximately $84,384.72 projected full-program tuition · Tuition only; required fees shown separately. Future rates may change.
Class size 36 students36 offered Meridian seats. ARC-PA history still lists 30 Meridian/30 main-campus seats, while ISU lists 36/24; confirm current campus allocation. Neither 72 program-wide seats nor 30 ARC allocation is silently substituted.
Program length 24 monthsFull program
GRE requirement RequiredThe General GRE is required and must be taken by November 1, 2026. Official scores must reach the Graduate School by December 31, 2026.
Patient-care minimum No required minimumNeither healthcare nor patient-care experience is required. At least 600 combined hours earns file-score points; it is a scoring threshold, not an admissions minimum.
Overall GPA minimum Not published · see policyGraduate classified master's admission has a 3.00 ordinary baseline using overall undergraduate GPA, the most recent degree-seeking GPA, or the most recent 60 accredited credits; applicants below the baseline may be admitted with a performance requirement. PA admissions separately require a 3.00 prerequisite GPA. The public CASPA cumulative-GPA scalar remains blank because this is a Graduate School policy. See Requirements.
Science GPA minimum Not published · see policyOverall science GPA contributes to file-score ranking, but the PA requirements publish no science-GPA minimum. The 3.00 requirement is for prerequisite GPA. See Requirements.
Recommendations Three letters of recommendation must be received by December 31, 2026.
International applicants ConditionalAccepted with conditions: international applicants follow Graduate School requirements, receive an I-20 only after admission and proof of one year of financial support, and U.S.-school transfers must maintain immigration status; foreign transcripts require English or accepted translation and IEE, WES, ECE, or another NACES evaluation; PA separately requires a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, so a foreign equivalent alone is insufficient; the Graduate Catalog publishes June 1 for international Fall applications, while PA requires both CASPA and Graduate School applications by November 1, so applicants must confirm which deadline controls; the checked pages do not separately publish citizenship, permanent-resident, or DACA rules. Accepted with conditions.
English proficiency / TOEFL ConditionalConditional when the applicant lacks an accredited U.S. undergraduate/graduate degree and is not a native English speaker. TOEFL new scale: overall 4.5 and each section 4.0; legacy iBT: total 80 and each section 20. IELTS 6.5 and Duolingo 110 are accepted; PTE is not published. Exemptions/alternatives: official-English country, ELS Level 112, or ISU Intensive English Institute Advanced English II with B- or higher in each course plus instructor recommendation. Standard-admission score age is not published; higher teaching-assistant thresholds do not apply to ordinary admission.
PANCE pass rate 92%First-time pass rate · Reporting year not recordedFive-year first-time: 91.7% · reporting period not recorded
U.S. News PA rank Unranked2025 PA edition · Peer-assessed reputationNo published rank for this program in this edition.
THE PROGRAM

A closer look

Meridian is a distinct teaching campus within Idaho State’s PA program. Students learn through a shared systems-based curriculum connected across three Idaho campuses.

Meridian Health Sciences CenterShared teaching across three Idaho campusesMedical Spanish electives and clinical travel
Mission & approach

The program prepares compassionate, collaborative PAs to serve patients and strengthen community health.

Idaho State University Meridian Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Science Center, home of Physician Assistant Studies
Idaho State University Meridian Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Science Center, home of Physician Assistant Studies
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ISU overview · Checked 2026-09-13
BEYOND THE NUMBERS

Admissions insights

What this program looks for in applicants

A quantitative file score gates a second holistic review, followed by interview ranking. Rural service, underserved communities and Idaho primary care align with the program mission. Campus offers depend on preference, rank and remaining seats.

Summarized from the program’s admissions information. Confirm current selection criteria with the program.

Program admissions information

How this program interviews

Digital or in personIndividual + group

40-minute group interview plus 20-minute individual interview; total visit approximately 3.5 hours. Both delivery formats carry equal weight.

Source checked Sep 13, 2026. Interview formats and dates can change between cycles.

Program interview information
YOUR STARTING POINT

Admissions & prerequisites

Admission requirements

Overall GPA3.00 · see policyGraduate School admission normally requires a 3.00 GPA based on overall undergraduate coursework, the most recent degree-seeking coursework, or the most recent 60 accredited credits. Applicants below this baseline may be admitted with a performance requirement. PA admission separately requires a 3.00 prerequisite GPA; the Graduate School rule is not a separate CASPA cumulative-GPA minimum.
Science GPANot publishedOverall science GPA contributes to file-score ranking, but the PA requirements publish no science-GPA minimum. The 3.00 requirement is for prerequisite GPA.
Patient-care experienceNo required minimumNeither healthcare nor patient-care experience is required. At least 600 combined hours earns file-score points; it is a scoring threshold, not an admissions minimum.
GRERequiredThe General GRE is required and must be taken by November 1, 2026. Official scores must reach the Graduate School by December 31, 2026.
RecommendationsThree letters of recommendation must be received by December 31, 2026.
International eligibilityAccepted with conditionsinternational applicants follow Graduate School requirements, receive an I-20 only after admission and proof of one year of financial support, and U.S.-school transfers must maintain immigration status; foreign transcripts require English or accepted translation and IEE, WES, ECE, or another NACES evaluation; PA separately requires a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, so a foreign equivalent alone is insufficient; the Graduate Catalog publishes June 1 for international Fall applications, while PA requires both CASPA and Graduate School applications by November 1, so applicants must confirm which deadline controls; the checked pages do not separately publish citizenship, permanent-resident, or DACA rules.
English proficiencyConditionalwhen the applicant lacks an accredited U.S. undergraduate/graduate degree and is not a native English speaker. TOEFL new scale: overall 4.5 and each section 4.0; legacy iBT: total 80 and each section 20. IELTS 6.5 and Duolingo 110 are accepted; PTE is not published. Exemptions/alternatives: official-English country, ELS Level 112, or ISU Intensive English Institute Advanced English II with B- or higher in each course plus instructor recommendation. Standard-admission score age is not published; higher teaching-assistant thresholds do not apply to ordinary admission.
Overall GPA exception pathway

Graduate classified master's admission has a 3.00 ordinary baseline using overall undergraduate GPA, the most recent degree-seeking GPA, or the most recent 60 accredited credits; applicants below the baseline may be admitted with a performance requirement. PA admissions separately require a 3.00 prerequisite GPA. The public CASPA cumulative-GPA scalar remains blank because this is a Graduate School policy.

Science GPA policy & alternatives

Overall science GPA contributes to file-score ranking, but the PA requirements publish no science-GPA minimum. The 3.00 requirement is for prerequisite GPA.

Prerequisite coursework

Course requirements; credit-hour minimums not published

Review each course, its lab, and the program’s policies. Your links are planning records; the program decides equivalency.

CourseCreditsLabMin gradeYour coursework
MicrobiologyNot publishedCourse requirements; credit-hour minimums not publishedNot specifiedCSign in to plan
Biochemistry
Course notes & alternatives

Organic chemistry or blended organic/biochemistry does not substitute.

Not publishedCourse requirements; credit-hour minimums not publishedNot specifiedCSign in to plan
Human anatomy
Course notes & alternatives

May be fulfilled through a two-semester combined A&P sequence.

Not publishedCourse requirements; credit-hour minimums not publishedNot specifiedCSign in to plan
Human physiology
Course notes & alternatives

May be fulfilled through a two-semester combined A&P sequence.

Not publishedCourse requirements; credit-hour minimums not publishedNot specifiedCSign in to plan
Statistics
Course notes & alternatives

Any discipline; research methods generally does not qualify.

Not publishedCourse requirements; credit-hour minimums not publishedNot specifiedCSign in to plan
Abnormal psychology OR lifespan developmental psychology
Course notes & alternatives

Developmental option must cover birth through death; introductory/general psychology does not qualify.

Not publishedCourse requirements; credit-hour minimums not publishedNot specifiedCSign in to plan →This requirement needs an individual course review; completion has not been confirmed.
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Policies that can change your plan

Prerequisite GPA
3.00 minimum across prerequisite courses.
Course age
Requirements say coursework ten years or older is not accepted; FAQ says ten years or younger. Confirm courses at the ten-year boundary.
In-progress coursework
First-time applicants may finish two prerequisites in spring; reapplicants need all prerequisites complete when reapplying. Finish by June 30 before entry.
Online coursework
Accepted from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
A&P sequence
A two-semester combined anatomy and physiology sequence can satisfy both subjects.
Psychology choice
Abnormal psychology OR developmental coursework covering the entire lifespan.
AP / CLEP
Acceptance was not established in the current checked prerequisites; confirm before using examination credit.
Pandemic grading
Winter, spring and summer 2020 pass/satisfactory grades have a published exception; review the official GPA-calculation policy.
Advanced placement
No advanced placement into the PA curriculum.
International eligibility
Accepted with conditions: international applicants follow Graduate School requirements, receive an I-20 only after admission and proof of one year of financial support, and U.S.-school transfers must maintain immigration status; foreign transcripts require English or accepted translation and IEE, WES, ECE, or another NACES evaluation; PA separately requires a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, so a foreign equivalent alone is insufficient; the Graduate Catalog publishes June 1 for international Fall applications, while PA requires both CASPA and Graduate School applications by November 1, so applicants must confirm which deadline controls; the checked pages do not separately publish citizenship, permanent-resident, or DACA rules.
International application deadline conflict
Graduate Catalog: June 1 for international Fall applications. PA: CASPA and Graduate School applications by November 1. Confirm with PA and Graduate admissions which deadline controls.
English proficiency
Conditional when the applicant lacks an accredited U.S. undergraduate/graduate degree and is not a native English speaker. TOEFL new scale: overall 4.5 and each section 4.0; legacy iBT: total 80 and each section 20. IELTS 6.5 and Duolingo 110 are accepted; PTE is not published. Exemptions/alternatives: official-English country, ELS Level 112, or ISU Intensive English Institute Advanced English II with B- or higher in each course plus instructor recommendation. Standard-admission score age is not published; higher teaching-assistant thresholds do not apply to ordinary admission.

When courses must be complete: Bachelor’s degree and prerequisites must be finished by June 30 before entering the program.

ISU PA admissions Current PA requirements · Checked 2026-09-14
BUILD YOUR TIMELINE

Dates & application steps

CASPA and Graduate School deadlineNov 1, 2026

PA requires CASPA and Graduate School applications by November 1. The Graduate Catalog separately publishes June 1 for international Fall applications; international applicants must confirm which deadline controls.

2026–2027
Take GRE by deadlineNov 1, 2026

Allow time for official score delivery; verify receipt requirements.

2026–2027
Finish degree and prerequisitesJun 30, 2027

Annual June 30 before fall entry.

2026–2027
Program entryFall 2027

Graduate School application selects the fall after submission; exact start day not established.

Typical interview periodDate needs confirmation

Published annual process, not an individual appointment.

General international Fall deadline conflictConfirm with admissions

Graduate Catalog publishes June 1; PA publishes November 1 for both applications. Confirm which controls before applying.

Save a school & planMonth-only dates stay month-only.
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THE FINANCIAL PICTURE

Know what the total includes

Published cost estimate

2026–2027 approved rates; published six-semester schedule
Resident tuitionApproximately $26,457.72 projected full-program tuition
Nonresident tuitionApproximately $84,384.72 projected full-program tuition

($4,409.62 semester component + $9,654.5 semester component) × 6 documented semesters · Tuition only; required fees shown separately. Future rates may change.

Required program fees$68,642.28
Tuition + required feesAttendance estimates shown below
$95,100

Basis: $4,409.62 semester × 6 documented semesters · rate-based projection · high confidence

Six-semester estimate at 2026–2027 rates: resident tuition $26,457.72, nonresident tuition $84,384.72, plus $68,642.28 required fees. Tuition and required-fee totals are $95,100.00 resident and $153,027.00 nonresident. Rates may change annually; living, transportation, books and supplies are separate. The official table covers Meridian and Pocatello jointly.

Estimated cost of attendance

Meridian resident: total attendance estimate$142,208
Meridian nonresident: total attendance estimate$200,135

Each is a full published estimate including tuition and fees above. Do not add the two totals together.

See additional expenses & assumptions
Resident tuition and required fees, six semesters$95,100
Nonresident tuition and required fees, six semesters$153,027
Indirect expenses, six semesters$47,108

Rates may change annually. Indirect estimates include housing/food, transport, books and supplies. Health insurance and required conference expenses need individual budgeting.

Plan for the application, too.

Keep application fees separate from the cost of attending.

ISU official campus-specific tuition and fees 2026–2027 approved rates; table updated August 4, 2026 · Checked 2026-09-26
HOW YOU’LL LEARN

Curriculum & clinical training

0112 months

Didactic

Foundation courses followed by systems modules.

0212 months

Clinical

Eight rotations: seven required areas and an elective.

120 graduate credits. Required areas: internal medicine, outpatient medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, emergency medicine, surgery and psychiatry. Students budget for clinical travel; medical Spanish electives are available.

ISU curriculum · Checked 2026-09-13
WHO STUDIES HERE

The admitted class

Class of 2028 initial seat offers — all campuses, not Meridian alone

Published class averages
Overall GPANot recorded
Science GPANot recorded
Patient-care hoursNot recorded
Compare published cohorts
ClassOverall GPAScience GPAPCE hours
Class of 2028 initial seat offers — all campuses, not Meridian aloneNot recordedNot recordedNot recorded

Meridian-specific admitted GPA averages are not published in the checked statistics. The combined-campus Class of 2028 initial offer list (top 72) reports prerequisite GPA 3.87, science GPA 3.63, age 26 and GRE verbal/quantitative percentiles 61/32. These are offer-list statistics, not Meridian averages or minimum requirements. The program received 498 CASPA applications and held 144 interviews for that class.

Class averages describe an admitted cohort. They are not minimums or acceptance probabilities.

ISU initial-offer statistics Initial seat offers, classes 2024–2028; all ISU campuses · Checked 2026-09-13
OUTCOMES & OVERSIGHT

The program’s track record

Graduate outcomes

PANCE pass rates

See first-time program performance with clearly dated national context.

  • First-time PANCE pass rate: 92%

Meridian first-time results, March 31, 2026 report. 2021–2025 pooled count: 166/181 = 91.7%; program-wide five-year 89% is a different population. 2024 PDF 30/34 = 88% conflicts with website table 89%.

Program reporting year not recorded; direct comparison unavailable.

  • Five-year first-time PANCE pass rate: 91.7%

Program reporting period not recorded; direct comparison unavailable.

Graduation & attrition

2025 graduating cohort

Published attrition2.63%
Entering students38
Graduates37

Meridian campus; April 1, 2026 report. Earlier Meridian rates: 2023 0%, 2024 2.77%. Program-wide table has different denominators.

ISU campus graduation report April 1, 2026; Meridian graduating classes 2023–2025 · Checked 2026-09-13

Accreditation history

Continued
First accreditedApril 1997
Next reviewJanuary 2035
  1. January 2026PANCE analysis accepted

    ARC-PA accepted the requested analysis of 2024 PANCE performance; no further information requested.

  2. March 2025Accreditation-Continued

    Continued status; zero areas of noncompliance noted.

Current ARC history header lists January 2035; the program website still says March 2035. ARC lists 30 Meridian seats while current program pages offer 36, so campus allocation needs confirmation. Continued accreditation is the current status.

ARC-PA current history January 2026 latest action; March 2026 publication · Checked 2026-09-13
NCCPA report — Meridian rows March 31, 2026 report; Meridian classes 2021–2025 · Checked 2026-09-13
CHECK THE EVIDENCE

Sources you can open

Follow the source for the policy or cohort you are reviewing. A check date is separate from the year a figure describes.

Rankings & information still to verify

The U.S. News PA rank uses the 2025 PA edition, matched to the listed program and campus. It reflects peer-assessed reputation, not admissions odds or a personal fit score. Programs without a separate entry are labeled “Unranked.”

Unpublished policies and unverified cohort statistics are left open for confirmation.

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