Understanding the Costs of the Optometry Program at Salus University
Choosing an optometry program is a significant decision, with cost being a major factor. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses associated with the optometry program at Salus University, incorporating student reviews to offer a comprehensive perspective.
Tuition and Fees
Salus University offers several optometry program options, each with its own tuition structure:
- Optometry (Traditional Program): The tuition for the traditional program is $40,920 per year.
- Optometry (Scholars Program): The Scholars Program has a slightly higher tuition of $41,510 per year.
- Advanced Placement OD Degree Program: This program has a total tuition of $163,680, based on the total cost of a four-year program at the annual Traditional Optometry tuition rate.
In addition to tuition, all programs share the following fees:
- Student Services Fee: $470 per year
- Laboratory Fee: $80 per term
- Technology Fee: $155 per term
It's important to note that tuition is subject to change each year.
Additional Expenses
Beyond tuition and fees, prospective students should budget for:
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- Books and equipment: The cost of books and required equipment can be significant. One review mentions purchasing thousands of dollars worth of equipment the second week of school.
- Living expenses: These costs will vary depending on individual circumstances. While Salus University includes living expenses in the total cost of attendance for budgetary purposes, particularly for online or hybrid programs, these expenses are not charged by the school.
Student Perspectives on the Salus University Optometry Program
Student reviews offer valuable insights into the overall experience at Salus University, and while experiences vary, some recurring themes emerge.
Positive Aspects
- Knowledge Gained: One reviewer stated that being the founding college at the university, the knowledge gained here is incomparable.
- Clinical Experience: The program introduces students to a clinical skills working environment in their first semester. Students gain confidence and skills when it comes time to take state board certification in the student's fourth year
- Faculty Support: Some reviewers praise the faculty, noting that they "genuinely care about providing you with a quality education" and are "personable as well as helpful." Experienced professors and current physician assistant professionals
- Facilities: The well equipped and new technology used at school in addition to its academic competitiveness are the pros of the Salus University optometry program. New facilities (lab, classroom, student gym, etc)
- Location: The campus is in a great location and accessible to Philadelphia. Campus is in safe and very social area.
Negative Aspects
- Organization and Curriculum: Several reviews express concerns about the organization of the program, the curriculum, and the teaching methods. Some reviewers describe the classes as unorganized, lectures as forgotten, and multiple mistakes in the exams given. One reviewer felt that the curriculum was ALL OVER THE PLACE.
- Faculty Engagement: Some reviewers feel that the professors do not care about their students, are not approachable, and are downright rude and not helpful. One reviewer noted that the professor to student ratio was like 1-100, making it difficult to get sufficient help from professors.
- Class Size: The large class size leaves little time for one on one interaction in class.
- Administrative Issues: Some reviewers mention administrative issues, such as rules changing constantly and the administration not caring about students.
- Boards Pass Rate: One reviewer noted the con- boards pass rate. SALUS HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST BOARDS IN THE US.
Specific Concerns Raised by Students
- Course Structure: One reviewer mentioned having 11 classes first semester of first year, all crucial to being successful.
- Relevance of Course Material: We would study all the content on our tests, just for us to get to our test and be asked questions that were not relevant to what we learned. (Legit had questions relating optometry to aliens?!?!).
- Online Learning Issues: One reviewer noted that even after a year of online courses due to the pandemic, there were still "tones of technical issues making the class recording and instructions unbearable." The system they are using is unreliable.
- Emphasis on Unnecessary Points: The instructions on courses are unclear. They often emphasize unnecessary points and skips the importance ones.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits
Prospective students should carefully consider the tuition, fees, and potential additional expenses associated with the Salus University optometry program. It's also crucial to weigh these costs against the potential benefits, such as the quality of education, clinical experience, and faculty support.
Student reviews provide valuable insights, but it's important to remember that experiences can vary. It is recommended to visit the campus, speak with current students and faculty, and carefully evaluate all aspects of the program before making a decision.
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