Tuition rates

[santos26]

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Hi,

I will be applying to PT programs in the fall but before I do I want to look at the tuition rates for schools in my area. I want to graduate from a program with the least amount of loans, therefore I plan on applying to schools in my state. However, there are only 4 PT programs in New Jersey. Rutgers-newark, Rutgers-stratford, Stockton University, and Seton Hall University.

Rutgers is really competitive to get in and Stockton usually accepts its own students and Seton Hall is extremely expensive. Therefore I might have to look into New York schools. I tried googling tuition rates for each program but I feel like the schools make it complication to try to find the price. Is there a link that shows the average tuition rates for PT programs anywhere? Thanks for your help.

Also, what do you consider TOO much, average, and low as in loans accumulated after graduation?

 

[mv85dpthopeful]

There may be a magic list somewhere but it's likely to have some errors, so the best thing to do is look around carefully in the program websites. Yes, you'll have to dig around for it. Expect to accumulate a lot of debt, that's just the way it is. Also, "only" four schools in your state? Some states have none, and many have only one or two.

 

[PT2Bee]

use the search function and you'll get the info you need. Also, just phone the programs if you can't find it. Done and done. Too much, avg, and low is subjective. Some people think >100 is too much, while others don't.

 

[southernswimmer]

This link has been floating around the forum lately: http://physicaltherapygraduate.com/search-physical-therapy-schools/. It's not 100% accurate, but it may give you some idea. The only places that will give you accurate numbers are the program websites. And even then, they don't tell you everything. I did visit a few programs, though, and they gave me a breakdown of the numbers that they submit for FAFSA purposes.

The general consensus around here is that anything over ~$100k is too much. Raw tuition prices I've seen range from ~$150k (Southern Cal) to ~$30k (East Carolina--don't apply there, they really only take NC students). I know you want to think practically, but, honestly, worry more about getting into the program and how the program will fit you before you start worrying about money. Getting into school is hard, getting money for it is easy, and for paying it back, there's austerity (and loan forgiveness programs if you want to research those).

 

[Watson27]

If a program does not state their tuition and fees, you will usually have to check the institution's registrar's page to find the rate per credit hour. Additional fees are usually found there as well. Program specific fees can usually be found in a program's handbook.

 

[DesertPT]

what do you consider TOO much,

A six figure number.

<$60,000 is ideal. I'll be at around $75k, that's probably about what I'd consider average across the various schools. Got into two schools that are ~$110-120k all things considered. I would way rather move out of state for a few years than pay another $40,000.

And yes, accurate figures can indeed be tricky to come up with at a lot of schools. You have to really dig and do some math a lot of the time.

One thing to keep in mind too is that private schools typically raise their prices each year...could be anywhere in the range of 2-8% annually...I'd plan on a 4-5% increase in tuition each year if you are calculating at the private schools (especially places that are strictly private graduate health sciences universities).

 

[DesertPT]

This link has been floating around the forum lately: http://physicaltherapygraduate.com/search-physical-therapy-schools/.

I would take the stuff on that website with a grain of salt. You could use it as a starting point perhaps, but everything you see on their has to be hand-validated.

As for loan forgiveness programs, they are few and far between for PTs, and what is available is less-than trustworthy as far as still existing in 10-15 years. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. It's an option to definitely look into, but I would not recommend anyone put all their financial eggs in that basket.

 

[SunGiant37]

A six figure number.

<$60,000 is ideal. I'll be at around $75k, that's probably about what I'd consider average across the various schools. Got into two schools that are ~$110-120k all things considered. I would way rather move out of state for a few years than pay another $40,000.

And yes, accurate figures can indeed be tricky to come up with at a lot of schools. You have to really dig and do some math a lot of the time.

One thing to keep in mind too is that private schools typically raise their prices each year...could be anywhere in the range of 2-8% annually...I'd plan on a 4-5% increase in tuition each year if you are calculating at the private schools (especially places that are strictly private graduate health sciences universities).

When you say anything less than 60k does that include living expenses? The school I got into is around 80k but happens to be in NYC so that adds a lot more to the fee sadly. Honestly all this money talk is so worrying. I'm not sure if I should wait another year to apply if that's the only school I'm most likely getting into or just roll with the punches

 

[DesertPT]

When you say anything less than 60k does that include living expenses? The school I got into is around 80k but happens to be in NYC so that adds a lot more to the fee sadly. Honestly all this money talk is so worrying.

No I'm not. If you were going to live for 3 years and go to PT school for $60k total, that PT school would have to be pretty much free. If you got into a school that the total tuition and fees are $80k, I imagine that isn't much more than national average for PT students at this point. That's a bummer to be in New York as far as the cost of living though...I'm married and my spouse works, but if I wasn't and had to borrow to cover all my living expenses too I would definitely be a little freaked. But in the end it's what you've gotta do to become a PT in the age in which live.

I'm not sure if I should wait another year to apply if that's the only school I'm most likely getting into

You should not do this.