As a DPT student, what is your annual total NON-tuition expense?

[rangardrum]

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In estimating the overall costs of acquiring a DPT, tuition is probably the easiest value to calculate since these figures are plainly available on school websites (and you can estimate annual tuition hikes within a reasonable degree of accuracy).

I'm more interested to hear what the total ADDITIONAL costs incurred are for DPT students in regards to rent, bills, food, books, costs related to clinicals, car expenses, etc. I realize this total will vary a lot based on the cost of living in different cities, whether you have roommates to share rent costs, etc. I'm just trying to get a ballpark estimate of what I should roughly project as my annual non-tuition cost as a DPT student.

When it comes to already being faced with taking on debt for tuition, it's obviously in my interest to keep other expenses down, but it does seem like non-tuition costs are still going to be significant. That's why I'd like to figure out what I should expect to face for the three years required to complete most DPT programs.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[markelmarcel]

I'll break it up: and of course, these are all estimates
$350/month on groceries
$100/month on gas
$80/month gym membership (for me & SO)
$500/semester on books
$800-900/month on bills/rent

My SO pays our house payment & related bills so with what little money I have I pay our gym membership and buy groceries. I live less than 10 minutes away from my school, so I'm not burning a lot of gas & am hoping my upcoming clinical will be right across the bridge beside the gym that I go to *fingers crossed*... And I've spent about $1000 on books so far. Yuck.

 

[rangardrum]

I'll break it up: and of course, these are all estimates
$350/month on groceries
$100/month on gas
$80/month gym membership (for me & SO)
$500/semester on books
$800-900/month on bills/rent

My SO pays our house payment & related bills so with what little money I have I pay our gym membership and buy groceries. I live less than 10 minutes away from my school, so I'm not burning a lot of gas & am hoping my upcoming clinical will be right across the bridge beside the gym that I go to *fingers crossed*... And I've spent about $1000 on books so far. Yuck.

Thanks for some estimates!

 

[hefe]

Depends a lot on cost of living for the area and the type of lifestyle you choose.

Right now I pay
$600 rent/utilities to run apt
$35 Internet
$200-400 books/term
$200-350 food
$100? Car-related (not 100% & varies)

I do spend money on some other things and perhaps live slightly higher on the hog than others can given COA in mid-west college town.

 

[hefe]

Also, curious why did you turn down Ohio State in your application process before they gave decision?

I'd be incredibly surprised if you didn't get into most all your other choices left.

I applied to similar schools as you a year ago and can tell you straight up the cheapest schools if you're looking to cut down on debt are those which cost the cheapest tuition. If you want advice from my experience send me a PM, I know a good bit about most of those schools. Some of them really well.

 

[rangardrum]

Also, curious why did you turn down Ohio State in your application process before they gave decision?

I'd be incredibly surprised if you didn't get into most all your other choices left.

I applied to similar schools as you a year ago and can tell you straight up the cheapest schools if you're looking to cut down on debt are those which cost the cheapest tuition. If you want advice from my experience send me a PM, I know a good bit about most of those schools. Some of them really well.

I PM'd you.

 

[fallingreason]

This is very informative! Hope to read more replies

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using SDN Mobile

 

[8MoreReps]

For those of you who know what your living expenses will be roughly.. how much debt do you think you will come out with after graduation? I mean including all tuition, living expenses, etc? And did you live off strictly loans to pay all expenses during your DPT?