Why does it cost so much to get a dpt (doctor of physical therapy) degree and then pay so little salary?

Question

My son will pay over $140,000.oo to get a DPT degree.

Answer 1

This is most likely the cost of private education. Yet, even so, your son will make a good, comfortable living. After a few years of experience, his salary will rise. If he really wants to earn top dollar, working for a staffing agency will help him quickly repay his loans and he'd be making much more than average PT (which was about $50-70,000 in 2005). Although it's not a great setting for new grads, he might want to consider it...especially if he can get a placement where he'd be stable for a while.

All things considered, for 7 years of education and three of those as post-graduate education...it's kind of a bargain. My good friend just finished med school to a tune of $250,000 in loans...she'll be just making ends meet for the next 7 years as she completes her residency and fellowship. She won't be making any real money until she is about 47 years old.

Answer 2

Not at all. It is simply the highest degree of education in the field, not a PHd though as that requires extensive research. A clinical doctorate does mean the physical therapist will have the title of a Doctor, but not an MD or a DO (Physician). There is a large difference between being a doctor, and being a physician. As a current student I am working at a physical therapy clinic, but part of me wants to pursue a DO, and go on to PM&R. I feel that the MD degree is too heavily influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, which is why the DO route interests me as it keeps a holistic approach, takes into mind the entire body, and gives me the power over my own private practice without the threat of another physician (if I was a DPT) having more authority in referrals.

Answer 3

Maybe he should go into a different field then. I am looking about 100k in tuition and another 50k in 3 years living expenses for law school but I researched the jobs I want and how well they pay before going. If he doesn't want to do blood and guts type of medicine, he could always become a PA, which is a physicians assistant and they can do pretty much everything a regular doctor can do except surgery.

Answer 4

That's not paying very much for a doctoral degree. That is less than average! I suggest you look much harder at what it costs to get an education.