Decent PA programs are not easy to get into either. One I’m familiar with is 2.5 years, in addition to any prerequisite, and 150K in cost. i think they also require 2000 clinical hours in a medical field in order to apply. It needs to be a program that has a good track record of students passing the licensing exams. And those programs are very attractive to many people. Turns out fields with job security, good pay and decent lifestyles are very competitive.
Speaking as someone in medicine for 30+ years, an adjunct professor at a PA school, and an employer of PAs, I don’t advise it. To develop a good PA requires tons of mentoring by the physician. I personally would not put that effort into a 50+ year old new grad.
The education of a medical professional, PA/DO/MD, is extremely resource intensive. It entails many hours on the part of many people beyond tuition etc. If someone can only works a few years after that investment by society, Society loses.