Same program. Same class. One number says 77%. Another says 93%. Both are real—and if you don’t know what those numbers represent, you could make a very expensive decision.
You got accepted to PA school.
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! 🎉🥼
You’ve worked incredibly hard to get here.
But now comes a decision that deserves just as much thought as your application:
Which PA school should you actually attend?
Maybe one program has a beautiful campus. Another is closer to home. One has a great reputation, and another is significantly less expensive.
And then you start looking at PANCE pass rates.
You find percentages like 77%, 93%, and 100%.
What do they mean? Which number matters? And should a lower PANCE pass rate make you reconsider a program?
At Pre-PA Clinic, we’re two PAs who have worked at PA schools and served on PA admissions committees.
And we want you to understand something before paying that enrollment deposit:
Getting accepted to PA school is the first goal. Graduating prepared to become a practicing PA is the next.
Here’s how to evaluate a PA program’s PANCE results, recognize potential concerns, and compare schools beyond the numbers on their websites.
1. The 77% vs. 93% Story: Why Two Real Numbers Confuse Everyone
Imagine you’re researching a PA program and see these two numbers:
77% and 93%.
Your first thought might be:
Wait. Which one is the actual PANCE pass rate?
Here’s the twist: Both numbers could be completely accurate, but they may measure different things.
For example, a program might report a 77% first-time PANCE pass rate for its graduating class.
That means 77% of graduates who took the exam passed on their first attempt.
The same class might later have a 93% ultimate pass rate.
That means 93% of the graduates who took PANCE eventually passed, including those who needed another attempt.
Same graduating class. Two different measurements.
Let’s make it even easier.
Imagine 30 graduates take the PANCE.
- 23 pass on their first attempt.
- 7 do not pass on their first attempt.
- Of those 7, another 5 eventually pass.
That produces approximately:
77% first-time pass rate
93% ultimate pass rate
Both are accurate. But they tell very different stories.
The first number tells you how many graduates passed without needing to retake the exam.
The second tells you how many eventually passed.
And if you’re trying to evaluate how effectively a PA program prepares its students for certification, you need to understand both.
2. First-Time Pass Rate vs. Ultimate Pass Rate, in Plain English
Let’s break down the terminology you’ll encounter on PA program websites.
First-Time PANCE Pass Rate
This is the percentage of first-time test takers from a graduating class who pass PANCE on their first attempt.
For example:
A program has 40 graduates who take PANCE for the first time.
36 pass.
First-time PANCE pass rate: 90%.
This is one of the most useful statistics when evaluating how prepared graduates are to take their certification examination.
Why?
Because passing the first time can help graduates avoid the additional expense, stress, and potential employment delays associated with retesting.
Remember, you can’t actually practice as a PA unless you pass the PANCE. So yeah, this is super important for your future and career.
It also gives you a useful way to compare a program’s results with national first-time pass rates.
Ultimate PANCE Pass Rate
This is the percentage of candidates from a class who have passed PANCE as of the report date, regardless of how many attempts they needed.
For example:
Of those same 40 graduates, 36 pass the first time.
Three additional graduates eventually pass after retesting.
Ultimate PANCE pass rate: 97.5%.
That tells you most of the graduates who took the exam eventually passed.
Which is encouraging!
But here’s what we don’t want you to miss:
A high ultimate pass rate doesn’t erase a concerning first-time pass rate.
Both numbers provide valuable information.
One More Number You Might See: All-Takers Exam Pass Rate
Official NCCPA reports can also include an all-takers exam pass rate.
This is different from the ultimate pass rate.
It measures the percentage of exam attempts that resulted in a passing score, including repeat attempts.
Because one person may take the exam more than once, the number of exam attempts can be greater than the number of individual candidates.
That’s why you should always read the column headings before comparing percentages.
What Is a Good PANCE Pass Rate?
There’s no single percentage that guarantees a program is excellent.
But national first-time PANCE performance gives you a useful reference point.
According to NCCPA, the national first-time PANCE pass rate was 91.5% in 2025.
When comparing programs, look at how their results compare with the national first-time pass rate for the same graduation year.
And remember:
A single percentage is a starting point for questions—not a complete verdict on a program.
3. Why the Trend Matters More Than One Year
Here’s a mistake we’d encourage every future PA to avoid:
Looking at one year’s PANCE pass rate and stopping there.
Let’s compare two hypothetical programs.
| Graduation year | Program A | Program B |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 96% | 89% |
| 2023 | 98% | 91% |
| 2024 | 95% | 94% |
| 2025 | 94% | 96% |
| 2026 | 78% | 97% |
Illustrative numbers only.
At first glance, Program A has a history of strong results.
But look at the most recent class.
Its first-time pass rate dropped from 94% to 78%.
Meanwhile, Program B shows a steady improvement.
Does that automatically mean Program B is better?
Not necessarily.
But it tells us exactly where we’d want to investigate further.
What a Recent Drop Might Mean
A lower first-time pass rate can happen for several reasons.
Some possibilities include:
- Changes in curriculum, faculty, or student support.
- Challenges affecting a particular graduating class.
- Differences in class size or student preparation.
- Changes in exam preparation or academic assessment processes.
You shouldn’t assume any one explanation is true.
Instead, ask the program what happened and what it’s doing in response.
Our Rule: Look at the Last Five Years
We recommend reviewing at least five years of available results whenever possible.
Look for:
Consistency: Has the program generally maintained strong first-time pass rates?
Direction: Are results improving, declining, or fluctuating significantly?
National comparison: How does each graduating class compare with the corresponding national rate?
Class size: How many students actually took the exam?
This last point matters.
If 20 graduates take the exam, one additional failure changes the first-time pass rate by five percentage points.
A small class can produce larger percentage swings.
Our takeaway: Don’t panic over one lower year. But don’t ignore a meaningful downward trend, either.
4. How to Find Each PA Program’s PANCE Pass Rates
Accredited PA programs are required to make specified PANCE performance information readily available to prospective students.
Step 1: Visit the PA Program’s Official Website
Search for pages labeled:
- PANCE Pass Rates
- Program Outcomes
- Accreditation
- Student Success
- NCCPA Exam Performance Summary Report
You can also search Google using:
[PA school name] PANCE pass rate
Make sure you’re looking at the correct campus or program location.
Step 2: Find the Official NCCPA Report
Look for a document titled something similar to:
NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report — Last Five Years
This is particularly useful because it provides standardized information.
Step 3: Record These Numbers
For each program, write down:
- The first-time pass rate for each available graduating class.
- The corresponding national first-time pass rate.
- The percentage of candidates who ultimately passed.
- The number of first-time test takers.
- The report date.
Why the report date?
Because recent graduating classes may not have completed all exam attempts, and some national data may not yet be available.
Step 4: Look Beyond the Pass Rate
While you’re on the program’s website, find its:
- Current accreditation status.
- Student attrition information.
- Graduation rates.
- Total tuition and fees.
- Clinical education information.
If you can’t locate something important, contact the program and ask.
A school should be able to help prospective students understand its published outcomes.
5. The Rest of the Comparison: Cost, Class Size, and Clinical Rotations
PANCE pass rates matter.
But choosing a PA school based on PANCE results alone would be a mistake.
Here’s what we’d compare next.
The TRUE Cost of Attending
Don’t compare tuition alone.
Look at:
- Tuition and mandatory program fees.
- Books, equipment, and technology.
- Health insurance and other required expenses.
- Housing and transportation.
- Clinical rotation travel and temporary housing.
- Loan interest and estimated borrowing.
A program with lower tuition may not be the less expensive choice if you’re responsible for relocating multiple times during clinical rotations.
Ask for the estimated total cost of attendance—not just the price per semester.
Class Size
Class size isn’t automatically a measure of quality.
A larger program may have extensive resources and established clinical relationships.
A smaller program may offer a learning environment that better suits your preferences.
The more useful questions are:
How accessible are faculty?
What academic support is available?
How does the program identify students who are struggling?
What does remediation look like?
Clinical Rotation Sites
This is a BIG one.
Ask where students complete their clinical rotations.
Are most sites near campus?
Do students regularly travel to other cities or states?
Are students expected to arrange their own housing?
What expenses are students responsible for?
A program that looks affordable on paper can become much more expensive when you factor in months of additional travel or housing.
How Far Will You Actually Drive?
Let’s say Program A is a 20-minute drive from your apartment.
Sounds great!
But if several clinical rotations are two hours away or require temporary relocation, that changes the picture.
Meanwhile, Program B might have higher tuition but more geographically concentrated clinical placements.
Neither is automatically the better choice.
You need the full picture before making the decision.
6. Seven Questions to Email a PA Program Before Paying Your Deposit
If you’re comparing acceptances, we recommend asking thoughtful questions before committing.
Here are seven we’d put near the top of your list.
1. Can you help me understand the program’s first-time PANCE pass rate trend over the past five years?
Especially useful if the program has experienced a recent decline.
2. If your most recent first-time pass rate dropped, what factors did the program identify, and what changes have been made?
You’re looking for a thoughtful, specific response—not necessarily a perfect answer.
3. What academic support is available to students who are struggling during the didactic or clinical phase?
Ask about tutoring, faculty access, remediation policies, and early intervention.
4. What percentage of students graduate on time, and what are the most common reasons for attrition or delayed graduation?
A strong PANCE pass rate is more meaningful when considered alongside graduation and attrition outcomes.
5. Where are clinical rotations typically located, and how often do students need to relocate or arrange temporary housing?
This can make a substantial difference in your total cost and daily life.
6. What is the estimated total cost of attendance, including required fees and typical clinical rotation expenses?
Request the most current figures available.
7. What is the program’s current ARC-PA accreditation status, and are there any upcoming reviews or changes prospective students should understand?
Always verify accreditation information through official sources.
One more tip:
You don’t have to send all seven questions in one giant email.
Review the program’s published materials first, then ask the questions that remain unanswered.
7. A One-Page PA School Comparison Sheet to Steal
If you’re choosing between two PA school acceptances, copy this table into a spreadsheet or document.
| What to compare | Program A | Program B |
|---|---|---|
| Current ARC-PA accreditation status | ||
| Most recent first-time PANCE pass rate | ||
| Five-year first-time PANCE trend | ||
| Ultimate PANCE pass rate | ||
| Most recent graduation rate | ||
| Student attrition rate | ||
| Class size | ||
| Total tuition and mandatory fees | ||
| Estimated total cost of attendance | ||
| Typical clinical rotation locations | ||
| Potential relocation or travel expenses | ||
| Academic support and remediation | ||
| Personal fit and support system | ||
| Questions still unanswered |
Here’s how we’d use it:
First: Fill in the information using official program sources.
Second: Highlight anything that concerns you or needs clarification.
Third: Contact the programs with your remaining questions.
Fourth: Compare the complete picture instead of choosing based on one impressive number.
And don’t forget to factor in your personal circumstances.
A program that’s a great fit for one applicant may not be the right choice for another.
8. What We’d Do If Two PA Programs Were Really Close
Imagine you’ve been accepted to two programs.
Program A has a 96% first-time PANCE pass rate.
Program B has a 94% first-time PANCE pass rate.
Would we automatically choose Program A?
Absolutely not.
Those two percentages alone don’t tell us enough.
We’d want to know:
- Are both programs consistently performing well over time?
- How many students took the exam?
- Are both programs appropriately accredited?
- How do their graduation and attrition rates compare?
- Is one significantly more expensive?
- Will one require substantially more travel during clinical rotations?
- Where will you have the support you need to succeed?
If both programs have consistently strong outcomes, we might place greater weight on total cost, academic support, clinical training logistics, and personal fit.
But if one program has experienced a significant recent decline in first-time PANCE performance, we’d want a clear explanation before committing.
What About a Program With a 100% PANCE Pass Rate?
A 100% first-time pass rate is impressive.
But ask how many graduates took the exam.
Was it 12 students? Or 100?
And was that result consistent across several graduating classes?
One perfect year is encouraging.
A consistent record of strong outcomes, appropriate student support, and manageable costs tells you much more.
Our goal isn’t to find the PA school with the prettiest statistic. It’s to identify a program that offers a strong path toward graduation, certification, and your future career.
9. Frequently Asked Questions About PA School PANCE Pass Rates
What does PANCE stand for?
PANCE stands for Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination. It is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
What is a good first-time PANCE pass rate for a PA school?
Compare the program’s first-time pass rate with the national first-time rate for the corresponding year, and evaluate multiple years of performance. The national first-time pass rate was 91.5% in 2025.
Is a 100% ultimate PANCE pass rate good?
Yes, it means all candidates included in that graduating class’s report who took PANCE had passed by the report date. However, it doesn’t mean every candidate passed on the first attempt.
Review the first-time pass rate as well.
Can a PA program have a low first-time pass rate but a high ultimate pass rate?
Yes. If some graduates fail their first attempt but pass after retesting, the ultimate pass rate can be substantially higher than the first-time pass rate.
Should I avoid a PA school with a PANCE pass rate below the national average?
Not automatically.
Investigate how far below the national average the program performed, whether the result was isolated or part of a trend, and how the program supports students.
A concerning trend deserves questions, but a single percentage isn’t enough to make the entire decision.
Where can I find official PA school PANCE pass rates?
Start with the PA program’s official website. Look for its NCCPA five-year PANCE performance report, usually found under accreditation, program outcomes, or student success.
Do PANCE pass rates tell me whether a PA school has good clinical rotations?
Not directly.
PANCE results measure examination performance. Clinical rotation quality, placement logistics, preceptor experiences, and academic support require additional investigation.
Does a high PANCE pass rate guarantee I’ll pass?
No. A program’s historical performance cannot guarantee any individual student’s result. Your preparation, academic progress, exam readiness, and other factors also matter.
Final Takeaway: Choose the PA School That Prepares You for What Comes NEXT
We know how exciting it is to receive a PA school acceptance. After everything you’ve worked toward, it’s tempting to immediately say YES. But before paying that deposit, take the time to look at the numbers. Not just the big percentage featured on the school’s homepage. Look at the first-time PANCE pass rate. Look at the ultimate pass rate. Look at the five-year trend. And then look at the rest of the program: accreditation, graduation outcomes, clinical rotations, total cost, and student support.
Because the goal isn’t just to get into PA school.
It’s to graduate, pass PANCE, and begin the PA career you’ve worked so hard for.
And that decision deserves more than a quick glance at one number.
Still Building Your PA School List?
If you’re preparing for an upcoming CASPA cycle, you can start making smarter program decisions before you even apply.
Inside our Application to Acceptance (A2A) Course, you’ll get access to tools and resources designed to help you research PA programs, understand admissions requirements, and build your strongest CASPA application.
That includes our PA School Directory, which helps you compare important program details rather than relying on minimum GPA requirements alone.
And you’ll learn from two PAs who have worked at PA schools and served on admissions committees.
EXPLORE THE APPLICATION TO ACCEPTANCE (A2A) COURSE
We’re cheering you on!
Katie & Beth