Is AZCOPT worth it for OOS student?

[osugirl2021]

For personal reasons, I am considering AZCOPT over my in-state school which will be significantly cheaper. AZCOPT has newer technology, high board rates, very friendly staff/professors, etc. However, it is one of the most expensive schools. Is attending this school worth it to be in significantly more debt after graduation with an optometrist's salary?

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[FutureOptometrist01]

It seems as though MWU is very expensive, and since it is a private institution, there is no in state vs out of state tuition. AZCOPT does seem like they have very up to date technology and equipment, and they are a respected program in a warm, sunny state. There are great things about the school, no question! I am no longer a prospective student with them (I'm attending UMSLCO next fall) so I am not sure how scholarships are, so AZCOPT students - definitely chime in here! That could make a world of difference. But personally, one of the reasons I did choose UMSL over a couple others is tuition and expenses. That is something I took into consideration for sure, but you definitely should go with what your heart tells you and look into scholarship opportunities! AZCOPT could have some money to give you which could potentially balance out how expensive it appears to be.

 

[BIG-E-SL]

Just chiming in here. I decided on AZCOPT vs SCCO and PUCO. I just had a great vibe here. I think the majority of my decision went based on quality of the education, class size, and also the warmth. I'm a boxing fanatic. When I saw what they had at AZCOPT I started imagining the things I could do with the tech they had, and my imagination started running wild. I'm fortunate I'm from a nearby state that does the PSEP/WICHE program which offsets the cost somewhat, but it's still substantial and still gives me anxiety every night. The staff at AZCOPT are very understanding of the financial difficulty and highly encourage every student to apply to the scholarships they have available. I feel like what it comes down to is your preference/where you feel most comfortable. If it's cheaper to stay in state and you like the school, do it! Especially if you don't have to worry about housing. We'll be making a great salary afterwards, but like every doctor I've ever worked with tell me, to Live below your means afterwards and just destroy your loans. They do bundle things together. So the cost upfront is terrifying.