Understanding the Costs of the USC Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

For aspiring physical therapists, the University of Southern California (USC) is frequently a top choice. The USC Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has a strong reputation for advancing physical therapy education, practice, and research. However, earning a DPT degree from USC comes with a significant financial investment. This article breaks down the tuition costs, fees, and other expenses associated with the program, while also considering potential financial aid options and alternative, more affordable programs.

The USC DPT Program: An Overview

The USC DPT program is a full-time, three-year program consisting of 115 graduate credits. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a dynamic learning environment where patient care and research are actively integrated. The first two years are systems-based, focusing on musculoskeletal, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and neurologic physical therapy. Eighteen weeks of clinical experiences are included during this time. The third year reinforces concepts from the first two years with a case-based curriculum and a team-based approach. This final year integrates coursework with 26 weeks of clinical experiences, designed to develop mastery of entry-level skills across different practice areas. USC was the first program in the nation to grant the DPT degree post-professionally and the second to graduate entry-level doctorally prepared students.

Decoding the Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the USC DPT program is a major expense. A first-year student in the USC DPT program is looking at a cost of over $105,000, and that’s before factoring in health insurance and other expenses. In comparison, the average physical therapy program tuition in 2022-2023 was $73,232 for public colleges and $125,055 for private colleges, according to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Tuition is $2,467 per unit plus fees for all students, regardless of location. This tuition rate is subject to change.

Beyond tuition, students should anticipate the following fees:

Student Health Center Fee: This is a mandatory fee for students enrolled in 6 or more units.
Student Health Insurance Fee: Students are automatically enrolled in the university's health insurance plan, but enrollment is not required if they present evidence of satisfactory alternative health coverage. Proof of insurance is required to be eligible for exemption of this coverage.
Norman H. Digital Course Material Fees: This new program allows all undergraduate students access to required textbooks and course materials. Additional materials fees are assessed per course.
Matriculation Fee: A non-refundable matriculation fee of $80 is assessed to all degree-seeking students on a one-time basis.
Enrichment fee.
Training Program fee: Students have a one-time fee.
Late Fees: To avoid late fees, you must register and have your tuition, fees, housing, dining and all other charges paid or deferred by 5:00 PM PT on the settlement deadline. If you fail to register and settle your account, you will be assessed late fees each week in accordance with the following schedule.

Housing and Meal Plan Costs

Housing and meal plan charges will appear on your student account. Housing rent charges for undergraduate buildings and all meal plans are billed once per semester. Rent for most graduate and family buildings is billed on a monthly basis. All utilities are included in rent charges. All housing assessments must be paid at the time of billing or they will be considered past due and may be subject to finance charges and/or late fees.

Understanding Payment Options and Deadlines

Students may pay their tuition by logging into USCe.pay. To avoid late fees, it's crucial to register and have all tuition, fees, housing, dining, and other charges paid or deferred by the settlement deadline. A deferment service charge applies to thirty-day deferments granted for up to $2,000 of the tuition balance.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

Despite the high cost, several financial aid options can help students manage the expense:

Federal and Private Student Loans: USC’s degree programs are eligible for federal and private student loans.
Merit-Based Scholarships: The university awards over $500,000 in merit-based scholarships to its students each year. Students are encouraged to apply for these funds within their application.
VA and GI Bill Tuition Assistance: USC’s degree programs accept VA and GI Bill tuition assistance.
Tuition Reimbursement: Some organizations offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit to their employees. The coursework the employee pursues must focus on a job-related topic or support his or her skills and career path within the organization. If you’re interested in pursuing tuition reimbursement, your first step should be to find out if your employer has an existing policy in place.
Third-Party Billings: Students with pre-authorization for third-party billings from entities recognized by the university will have their agency credits posted on their student accounts. They will be required to pay any amounts not covered by the agency. Approved agencies may include local, state and federal governments, private corporations, foreign governments and the United States Armed Services. Sponsored students must meet the terms and conditions agreed upon by the university and the agency.

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Pursuing a University of Southern California physical therapy degree is the perfect example of when it makes sense to seek loan forgiveness. For example, you could pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness over 10 years or income-driven repayment loan forgiveness over 20 to 25 years. USC DPT grads could pursue a high-paying PT specialty and refinance their student loans.

Tuition Refund Insurance

Elective insurance that provides full coverage for tuition and mandatory fees (excluding health insurance) is available if you suffer a serious illness or accident that makes it necessary to leave the university before the semester is completed. Students are enrolled automatically at the time they register for classes but may opt out until the end of the third week of the fall semester. Read more about Tuition Refund Insurance. This video will show you how to opt in to or out of Tuition Refund Insurance, which protects your investment in USC tuition and may be purchased for a small fee during fall, spring and summer terms. It provides a refund of tuition and fees to a student who must withdraw from all classes due to an illness or accidental injury. USC has contracted with A.W.G.

Read also: Affording ECU

1098-T Form

USC is required to provide students and the I.R.S. with form 1098-T each year. This form reports general information about enrollment status, qualified charges and financial aid posted to a student’s account during the calendar year just ended. In addition to the 1098-T, USC provides students with supplemental information that includes a breakdown of all financial activity by category. The 1098-T assists students and families in determining their eligibility for the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits.

Alternatives to USC

If the USC physical therapy program seems too expensive, there are less expensive alternatives in California that could make more sense. The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) offers a three-year DPT degree at a relatively affordable cost. The program is a joint venture between UCSF and San Francisco State University accredited by CAPTE. Current tuition and fees for California residents total $31,900 annually. Another California school to consider is CSU Long Beach. CSULB offers a three-year DPT program accredited by CAPTE that is also much more affordable than USC.

The Potential Return on Investment

Physical therapists have the potential to make good money during their careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for physical therapists was $97,720 in May 2022. The field of physical therapy not only offers competitive salaries, but it also promises considerable growth. The BLS reports a much faster than average job growth rate of 19% over the next 10 years for physical therapist positions.

Read also: Withdrawals for College: A Guide

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