J Allied Health. 2026 Spring;55(1):41-47. doi: 10.21091/jah.2026.01005.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Financing of professional physical therapy programs has shifted over the last decade with tuition increases of over 100% during this timeframe despite only a 10% rise in salaries.
PURPOSE: We evaluated the debt burden of students enrolled in full-time Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs to determine the percentage of students likely to be negatively affected by debt service upon graduation.
METHODS: A survey was distributed to responders (N = 703) who represented 1st-year (35%), 2nd-year (34%), and 3rd-year (31%) students from public (45%) and private (52%) institutions.
RESULTS: Responders borrowed $101,444 ± $53,102 to pay for their program (median $100,000, mode $150,000). Almost 50% of students enrolled in private programs reported the total debt (undergraduate loan plus DPT loan) would surpass the $150,000 threshold identified as benchmark for net present value. As a percentage of salary, the sample would pay approximately 20% to service the debt in 120 months (10 years) and the debt would only represent 10% of salary if the repayment was made over a period of 25 years.
CONCLUSION: As a result of this borrowing and repayment, graduates should expect financial burdens, professional choices based on income, and impacts on personal decisions.
PMID:41802951 | DOI:10.21091/jah.2026.01005
