Is Physical Therapy School Worth It?

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Күн бұрын

Is physical therapy school worth it? Before you decide to go to physical therapy school, keep these tips in mind:
1. Keep your debt to income ratio below 1:1. Too many physical therapy students are graduating with more than 1.5 or 2.0x their salary in physical therapy student loans! You need to know exactly how much you're willing to spend on a program and whether or not that makes financial sense. Use the debt to income ratio of 1:1 to determine which schools make the cut and which schools you should just cross off the list.
2. It's ok to take a year off if you don't get in to an affordable PT school. The math actually works in your favor as demonstrated in the video. Build up your resume and reapply to a state school. The money you save by avoiding paying for private Physical Therapy school tuition will far exceed the income you earn by graduating a year earlier. Financially, it's just not worth it to sign up to pay more to get into a private PT school.
3. Paying off 100,000+ of physical therapy student loans will be very challenging on a new grad PT's salary. You'll need to live like a student for 2 to 3 years (or more if you have over 100k in loans!). While physical therapists do earn a healthy salary, your budget will feel tight right out of school because of high student loan payments.
Work hard and save money while you're in school. If you can get a work study job, great! But be mindful of the debt you're accumulating because graduating with a lot of debt after physical therapy school is just not a good idea.
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Пікірлер: 82

@gerrykelly7077 4 жыл бұрын

This wasn't a big problem until they added a useless 3rd year!!

@coluu4230 3 жыл бұрын

I graduated with 144K in student loan debt from a private DPT institution. Luckily, I was offered a really high paying job in an orthopedic setting as a new graduate making $124,000/yr. (I live in Los Angeles) In addition, the OP job, I worked part-time home health and made about ~$44K/yr. Needless to say, I was able to pay off all my student loans in 2 years all while having some money leftover to invest in the stock market. My scenario is a bit unique as the jobs lined up really well for me, however, I have seen other clinics offering six figure salaries to new grads. They're rare but they do exist! Hope this gives hope to some new grads.

@gooseunit5931 3 жыл бұрын

Well La also has a higher cost of living tho

@gooseunit5931 3 жыл бұрын

Maybe other new grads need to go to La since it pays more there

@andypollard2777 4 жыл бұрын

Tim after finishing semester one of my dpt program I’m glad I took your advice. Your videos are the reason why I I turned down a $110k tuition private program that I had loved on tour, to go to a ~$50k tuition state school. I’m hoping this will pay off in the end. Thank you for all the videos as they are a great help!

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

I hope every aspiring PT student reads your comment :) Great choice! When everyone else from that program has 150k in loans and you have 100k LESS, you’ll be glad you made the choice you did. That decision will give you so much more flexibility in the future financially. Great work 👍 Thanks for your comment too :) I love hearing from awesome people like you

@Dave-ew4jb 4 жыл бұрын

Hello! question, what school did you attend? just curious

@CarsWithFrank 4 жыл бұрын

This is why I decided on going into PTA school as much as I would have rather gone to DPT school. However, I’m hoping more bridge programs become available 🤞🏼

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

You’ll make close to the same and have a fraction of the loans...not a bad position to be in!

@Lordpraisethe 4 жыл бұрын

I really hope things change. Pt was my dream job. The only thing stopping me is the tuition. The income to debt ratio is too ridiculous. It makes me so sad.

@Corn22 4 жыл бұрын

PTProgress question...i have my bachelors in exercise science already...is it worth to just go to PT school in my state (45K)...its only one more year than PTA.

@claudiamedeiros1 3 жыл бұрын

@@Corn22 PTA school! It is a fraction of the cost of PT school and the entry-level salary difference is about $20k!

@Corn22 3 жыл бұрын

@@claudiamedeiros1 i actually got into my DPT program of choice so i will be going there haha! but i did debate pta for a while

@BigWolsky 3 жыл бұрын

This is the single best video about PT school EVER. I’ll explain my situation. Covid 19 ended a personal training career in a hospital based gym. I had to go back to school at now 30 years old to find another career. Applied to one in state school and one private school that had a later deadline. Only reason for only two schools is I applied so late. Got into the private, which is a number 1 ranked school with a 130k tuition cost. THIS IS NOT WORTH IT. No matter how much you think it is, it isn’t. I was lucky enough to be waitlisted foe the in state and got accepted only two weeks prior to class starting. My point is that I was absolutely preparing to wait another year and reapply to in state school if I had not gotten in. It didn’t matter that the school I was accepted early from was ranked #1. It mean nothing. Being an older applicant made me want to start even earlier but I plead with everyone on here to never ever ever accept to any PT school that is more than 100k. Wait. Wait. Wait. This video is gold. Thank you, Tim

@nickgon7ng 4 жыл бұрын

This is exactly what people need to hear! Honest and realistic lol really appreciate your videos man ✊🏽

@tylergonzalez9424 4 жыл бұрын

Your videos are extremely insightful! My issue with the application process was interviews and after watching your interview video religiously and practice, I had the chance to pick from multiple schools! Starting at UTMB at Galveston in Fall. Keep up the videos!

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

Tyler Gonzalez congratulations! Proud of you for putting the work in and getting into a state PT program! Thanks for your comment too; it means a lot to me.

@jaytmusic11 3 жыл бұрын

SUPER HELPFUL!!! Thank you Tim! I am a recent PTA grad & I’m considering bridge programs to DPT. Your insights definitely gave me a better idea about the true costs & loans about PT school.

@PTProgress 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@Angelo-uo2gj 3 жыл бұрын

Graduated with 120k two years ago. I’ll end up paying more with the interest accrual. Been working my ass off for 2 years and I’ll be debt free by next year hopefully.

@veticgods 3 жыл бұрын

Good work man! That's the hussle!

@gooseunit5931 3 жыл бұрын

So basically it’s doable but u gotta be a grinder for three years lol

@skatergirl6764 Жыл бұрын

I'm currently in IT and make solidly over six figures. I don't like the work and I sit at home alone all day. I want to be a PT badly, but I don't think I can handle the debt at age 40 with a kid.

@LycanXXV 4 жыл бұрын

Gosh I wish information like this was available to me 4 years ago. Thank you for shedding light on these issues and providing great insight Tim! The newest generation of students considering PT school will benefit immensely.

@sadsmile3 4 жыл бұрын

We also should mention that the debt is usually way higher than when they tell you. At midwestern university they say its 135k, but realistically, when I calculated the increased tuition every year, the interest that accumulates while in school, and a 5 year plan to pay it back, it ends up being a whopping $220k on private loans. Thats a mortgage without the house. Oh, this also does not include the cost of rent during clinical rotations in third year, which easily adds another $10k, before interest. Scary.

@jaharibell5689 3 жыл бұрын

highway robbery

@r.e.4640 Жыл бұрын

Its NOT WORTH IT!

@davidung9039 4 жыл бұрын

I appreciate the frank, truthful advice.

@aubreed3100 4 жыл бұрын

Before the pandemic influencing how course material is delivered in DPT programs, the cost of PT school was easier to justify. However, taking out 120-150K of student loans to do the majority of your DPT education online, is not worth it - in my opinion. I was enrolled in a DPT program that has been online since March, will continue to be mostly online through the remainder of the year, and tuition increased for the summer and fall semesters. I made the difficult decision to take a leave of absence 12 months into my DPT program. I couldn't justify paying a higher cost for an online education, especially when there is a chance we would have to graduate late and pay for the extra semesters, which for most students in my program would force them to take out 180-200K of student loans, just for PT school.

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Aubree - thanks for sharing and I'm sorry you had to make such a difficult decision like that. I'm sure you put a lot of thought into the decision and it sounds like a financially sound decision based on the projected debt. Obviously, if you had to take out loans for the first year, you'll have those to pay down. But I think it's manageable if you find ways to save some money over the next year (live with friends / parents / family?) and try to find an entry level job somewhere. You may even find work that you really enjoy that pays well but doesn't require $150k of debt. I hope you find some work that you enjoy during this year and feel free to reach out if you need anything. - Tim

@jonathanalicea6526 4 жыл бұрын

You’re the real MVP. 🙌

@StefanieAnna 3 жыл бұрын

And don’t forget that grad school loans have higher interest rates, so tack at least another 10-20k in interest by the time you graduate and start paying.

@Iceman-xe7jo 3 жыл бұрын

PT has done a horrible job of laddering the degree. I’m a PTA and the only way I can become a PT is spend over 100k in education. At 42 yrs old and at where I am in my life this is not feasible and practical.

@ProphetJpoz 3 жыл бұрын

Great insight. This video may have worried me more than intended. I just was accepted into a DPT program that’s 120k 3 years. Starts in June. Although I feel lucky. I went back improved my grades and finally had a 3.02 GPA to apply. By the grace of god I was accepted (so relieved). However, someone in my spot I don’t feel that chancing another year is beneficial. It’s more likely I am denied especially with lower cost schools given they seem to be more competitive and higher applicants. Maybe I’m thinking at it the wrong way. DPT is the career I want for sure no chance against that. So I accepted without thinking of any of what you spoke about.

@PTProgress 3 жыл бұрын

I don’t know what else to say.. I mean if you can afford the tuition and living expenses by writing a check, then great. But if you’re going to take out $150k+ in loans I just don’t know how else to tell you that it’s not a good idea. Kudos for getting into a program and for putting in the work to do so - I’m sure you worked really hard. But racking up $150k in debt is far from something to be relieved about. I’m sorry if I’m the only one to share this sentiment with you - I wish others would speak up about the insanity of PT school loans vs income. I’m sure it’s not what you want to hear, but that’s the truth.

@gooseunit5931 3 жыл бұрын

@@PTProgress if you’re a physical therapist already and you’re saying this then I believe it plus it makes sense it’s all in the numbers, I am still finishing my bachelors but I will listen to this advice I wanna get as much money as pt as possible without having so much debt that’s what it comes down to people don’t get it lol

@kristennicolosi 4 жыл бұрын

great video for a future pt student!

@matthewbryk1967 3 жыл бұрын

Really needed to hear #2

@Ca_1021 4 жыл бұрын

Me: Add it on my tab 😂😂😂😂 JK but I start at Plymouth state in June. I’m glad it’s not tooooo expensive. Thanks for these videos I love them. This is such an important factor to a students decision.

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

Haha! Congrats! I hope you can keep the costs low! :)

@s9t.peppers 4 жыл бұрын

is it accredited? I saw on their site that they are not accredited so make sure that you can actually take the NPTE after you graduate

@narges8181 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video as I am struggling with career decisions coming close to being 30. I already have student loans from earning my bachelors degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science back in Spring 19 after changing my major from Nursing. College was 8 years long. I have took a 2 year break and enjoying life without school. I finally was able to pay off my personal debt except student loans. I was hoping to get some advice. I am leaning towards earning a certification to be a clinical exercise physiologist through ACSM however becoming a PT was always a dream. If you were in my situation, what route would you take?

@TheRay1227 2 жыл бұрын

I’m in your situation, glad I ran across your comment. I currently work as a trainer and strength and conditioning coach. I was considering a PTA position. I didn’t want to go into PT because of the cost of tuition. I graduated with a kinesiology background too. There are many opportunities with that degree without having to do PT, now I also work as a pt aide part time, it’s a rewarding job, quite honestly you treat patients as much as pt assistants do, PTs does the evaluations and has the call to release patients. So if you are looking into the field of PT, this time may be difficult due to cost and time. ACSM exercise physiologist is underrated field, there are rumors too that you can land a job at an entry position where they train you on the go and they pay for your certification, as long as you have a bachelors degree in kinesiology you should be good. But I would search and get an entry level job that relates to that field first as my advice, you may not have to pay out of pocket. Just something to consider, best of luck! 😃

@pumafcsoccertutorials5130 4 жыл бұрын

I want to become a PT, I’m playing soccer in college and I might be getting a full ride with my academic scholarships! I’m very thankful that my parents were going to pay for my college (mom dad stepdad) but I didn’t want them to worry about that. Who knows maybe they’ll help with PT school! Idk but still! I’m excited

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

That’s great! Good luck with your college career :)

@Akash_singh10 4 жыл бұрын

Hey I am a Junior in high school. I was thinking of doing a 6 year PT program at Marquette university. Is it a good idea to do a program or fallow a different path

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

From the Marquette website: Physical therapy $46,690 (per year, including summer session). . . | 46,690 x 3 years is $140,000. PT students should not be taking out $140,000 in student loans. You can go to a state school and graduate with less than $60,000 in debt. I cannot recommend anyone spend that much to become a PT to earn 60-70k out of school. The math doesn't make sense.

@Akash_singh10 4 жыл бұрын

PTProgress okay thanks

@kevingomez5096 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! I am currently a pta and wanted to continue studying but I figured PT school is not for me for the same reason you pointed out.

@trerossi554 2 жыл бұрын

State schools in New York are just as expensive as the private ones. Actually some are more per credit hour than private schools I’m looking at. Am I missing something or are ny state schools just expensive?

@clintboonedpt 3 жыл бұрын

I totally needed this video when I was a senior in undergrad. Totally guilty of #2

@darthsaber8809 2 жыл бұрын

What’s the difference between expensive and cheap school is there any privileges in terms of jobs opportunities?

@ravnitdeshpande 3 жыл бұрын

Sir I am from India studying bachelor of physical therapy in 3 nd year . so for master of physical therapy which is the best universities in USA , what exam I have to give and what is the procedure for addmission and how can I get scholarship ??

@Corn22 4 жыл бұрын

my state school is only 45K...hoping that’s worth it lol!

@amandagensiejewski8335 4 жыл бұрын

When it comes to public universities, is tuition for out-of-state students substantially greater than for in-staters? I would like to minimize my student debt by attending a public university; however, there is only one in-state public university where I live. Is it worth it to apply to public universities in other states? Thanks for the helpful videos!

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

Great question! Some states allow for reciprocity or neighboring state provisions. You may qualify for in state tuition if it’s a neighboring state and they allow that provision. Otherwise, most require you to be a resident for x months prior to enrolling in order to get in state tuition. But, some state schools have out of state tuition that is still lower than many private schools, so that’s worth considering too!

@CatsInDungarees 4 жыл бұрын

Hi I love your channel, with great info, but I was wondering as I'm in the UK, would doing an apprenticeship in PT be better? As I get experience, I live closer to home, and I get an income to cover the fees by doing the apprenticeship.

@brandonsmith4039 4 жыл бұрын

I’m currently doing my observation hours for PT school how many hours of observation do you recommend

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

200+ spend as much time as possible shadowing! Better to find out now if you want to commit 2080 hours a year working full time! Shadowing is a fraction of the time you’ll invest in school and worth doing at multiple clinics/settings.

@Akash_singh10 4 жыл бұрын

PTProgress when do you recommend to start shadowing

@tylerwright4110 4 жыл бұрын

Man, this bummed me out by how much loans im going to owe coming out of PT school.

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Tyler! Yeah, the loans suck. But stick around because I’ll be making more videos about financial strategies for PTs to pay down debt and build wealth. 👍

@tylerwright4110 4 жыл бұрын

PTProgress - Tim Fraticelli Luckily I live in Pa/Nj and the average salary is higher than the rest of the country. I shouldn’t have as much trouble paying down debt as most do but it’s almost impossible to find a school in the northeast for a reasonable price. 2 years in and it is starting to look real ominous.

@Daniel243320 4 жыл бұрын

Dont they forgive federal loans after paying 20 yrs ? Why not just be on home income payoff option ,which is the minimum payment . And after 20 yrs it will be forgiven . *but do have to pay taxes off the entire amount you are being forgiven !

@gooseunit5931 3 жыл бұрын

20 years is a long time lol

@Gymkage 3 жыл бұрын

Hello, this loan situation has actually been scaring me. I’m currently a senior in undergrad applying to dpt school, Shenandoah offers a dual degree program which is about $120k in 3.5 years. Is it worth getting my dpt and masters in athletic training ?

@PTProgress 3 жыл бұрын

Paying extra for a masters in athletic training isn’t something I’d personally pay for. Also, $120k in debt for a starting salary of $65k is A LOT! Why is it that PT schools suggest that it’s ok to take on $120k in debt and earn $65k while accountants or engineers for example wouldn’t take on $120k to earn $65k. It’s absurd. $120k in student loan debt should scare people.

@brendanmcdermott9729 3 жыл бұрын

If you want to get into sports medicine the dual degree is best. If you don’t. Then just go DPT. But for only one more semester of course ( summer ) for a Dual is great. I can’t speak higher for Shenandoah and there clinical sites as a dual major.

@MrCatfishhh 4 жыл бұрын

How have you been dealing with your loans since you already are a working PT? Are you paying a lot higher than the minimum?

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

Right now we aren’t required to pay anything with loans placed on a suspension. But in order to pay them down quickly, we’re putting a lot of our extra income towards the loans.

@nishadalvi5325 3 жыл бұрын

Can someone give a summary of it for me??

@PTProgress 3 жыл бұрын

Like a summary of the video?

@nishadalvi5325 3 жыл бұрын

@@PTProgress hey. I'm a undergraduate PT student from India and I really wanna persue my masters in the US. Is it really that hard to study PT with a student loan?

@AceHardy 4 жыл бұрын

✍️

@jennifergarcia280 4 жыл бұрын

Do you still think you chose the right career?

@PTProgress 4 жыл бұрын

Jennifer Garcia. It’s actually my second career (I worked in finance for 5 years before going back to PT school) I think I chose a good career. PT is no doubt a good career, but starting your career with 100-150k in debt is not a good idea. If I could do it all over again, I would choose a less expensive school. If you can get into a state school and spend less than $60-70,000 on your education to become a PT, that’s the smart approach. In terms of PT being the RIGHT career, I’ve learned not to put that much pressure on a job or career. Too many students feel like they have to choose the RIGHT career. My advice is to shadow multiple people in different jobs to get a good idea if that career is worth pursuing. Good luck and thanks for your comment!