Sometimes I think I must be crazy to still be pursuing PT. I am finally done with my Prereqs and am applying to DPT programs but when I look at tuition and fees and an expected salary of 50-60k for the first 5 or so years of practice, I just sometimes wonder...why?
I am planning on attending an instate college, SUNY Upstate Medical University for anyone interested, which has 16k tuition per year. With the cost of housing, food, books, and payment of loans that I carry from undergrad, I should be out with approximately 100-130k of debt. Although I am very much interested in the field of PT and and what the job consists, it is getting to a point where I wonder if it financially viable to pursue the field.
PAs complete their degrees paying about 1/2 as much as PTs and getting paid around 70-80 starting out. Same goes for pharmacists except they get paid even more. Even MDs can come out of school owing around what DPTs owe (if they are smart about it) and normally make double or triple the amount PTs make. I enjoy PT, I am passionate about it, and I am excited about the job prospects, but it is starting to look like a scam.
Does anyone else feel the same way? I have just been very nervous lately especially since I am finally applying for the programs. The stories that I hear from PTs on a daily basis does not help either. Decreased reimbursement, higher copays, more education and loans, no gain in scope of practice after the DPT, relatively modest pay compared to other health professionals. I just don't know what to think anymore!
I am planning on attending an instate college, SUNY Upstate Medical University for anyone interested, which has 16k tuition per year. With the cost of housing, food, books, and payment of loans that I carry from undergrad, I should be out with approximately 100-130k of debt. Although I am very much interested in the field of PT and and what the job consists, it is getting to a point where I wonder if it financially viable to pursue the field.
PAs complete their degrees paying about 1/2 as much as PTs and getting paid around 70-80 starting out. Same goes for pharmacists except they get paid even more. Even MDs can come out of school owing around what DPTs owe (if they are smart about it) and normally make double or triple the amount PTs make. I enjoy PT, I am passionate about it, and I am excited about the job prospects, but it is starting to look like a scam.
Does anyone else feel the same way? I have just been very nervous lately especially since I am finally applying for the programs. The stories that I hear from PTs on a daily basis does not help either. Decreased reimbursement, higher copays, more education and loans, no gain in scope of practice after the DPT, relatively modest pay compared to other health professionals. I just don't know what to think anymore!