Physical therapy (PT) school costs in the U.S. can range between $7,500 and $57,000 per year, depending on whether you live in the same state as the program you attend.
And when it comes to how to pay for PT school, there are several funding options for prospective students — from grants and scholarships to federal financial aid, work-study programs, private student loans, and more.
Keep reading to find out how much PT school costs and how to pay for it.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Several funding options for PT schools are available for prospective students, including grants, scholarships, federal financial aid, work-study programs, and private student loans.
• The average total cost of education for PT programs in the U.S. is $106,051 for in-state students and $125,287 for out-of-state students.
• Grants for PT school are sponsored by various sources, including the federal government, public and private colleges, professional organizations, and corporations.
• Private and professional organizations offer financial aid opportunities to PT students, often on a regional basis.
• While the average cost of attending PT school may seem high, the median salary for a PT is $101,020, which may help to justify the expense of education.
Cost of Physical Therapy School
The cost of PT school can vary significantly depending on the program you attend and your location.
With that said, the average total cost of education for PT programs in the U.S. is $106,051 for in-state students and $125,287 for out-of-state students.
7 Ways to Pay for Physical Therapy School
Now that you have an idea of how much PT school might cost, your next priority is likely figuring out how to pay for it once you’ve been accepted.
Below are seven different options you can look into to help cover the costs of attending PT school.
1. Grants
Physical therapists are in high demand, and there’s been a corresponding increase in the number of grants available to students who are pursuing a career in PT.
Grant funding that helps students with PT school costs is sponsored by a variety of sources, from the federal government to public and private colleges and universities, professional organizations, and corporations.
It’s a good idea to kick off your search for grant funding with federally-backed programs that target PT majors. If you’re enrolled in a PT program from an accredited college or university, you may be eligible for the following federal grants.
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The Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is available to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. Graduate-level students in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are not eligible, but students in Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs may apply. The amount of awarded funding maxes out at $7,395 for the 2025-26 school year. The amount awarded can change yearly and is based on the student’s level of financial need, attendance status (full time or part time), and the cost of the program itself.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is available to eligible undergraduate students who have already qualified for a Pell Grant, still demonstrate financial need, and are enrolled in a participating college or university.
To apply for an FSEOG, you can work with your college’s financial aid office and learn if you’re eligible to receive anywhere from $100-$4,000.
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Aid
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the HHS, offers a variety of financial aid opportunities that are designed to assist students entering into the health care profession. One example is the HRSA Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students, which is a campus-based grant program that provides financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Eligible recipients must be pursuing a degree in an approved health care field (PT being one of them), and the college or university the student is attending determines their eligibility and award amount.
Colleges and Universities
There are several campus-based grants and payment programs available to PT students to help cover PT school costs. Once you’ve compiled a list of preferred PT programs, you can search for these grants and scholarships on the schools’ websites or speak to someone in their financial aid departments to get started.
Private Organizations
Private and professional organizations can be solid sources for grants, scholarships, and fellowships that help aspiring PTs pay for PT school.
In many cases, the funding is extended on a regional basis, so searching for state or local organizations is a great way to seek financial aid that’s relevant to PT in your particular area.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) sponsors several grants and scholarships for PT students, including the Outstanding PT Student and PTA Student Awards and the Orthopedic Section Outstanding PT/PTA Student Award, among others.
An example includes the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR), which administers research grants for graduate-level PT students in a variety of rehabilitation techniques, including pediatric and geriatric PT. In addition, the FPTR offers $5,000 in award funds from their Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarship for high-performing PTs and PTAs pursuing doctoral studies at an accredited college or university.
2. Scholarships
When considering how to pay for PT school with a scholarship, consider searching scholarship databases for PT scholarships. Websites such as CollegeScholarships, Scholarships 360, or Scholarships.com all offer comprehensive lists of scholarships available specifically to students studying PT.
In addition to your course of study, you can factor in other talents or qualities that may help you qualify for a scholarship, such as where you grew up, your ethnicity, or your gender.
Review the scholarships available at your specific school as well.
Recommended: Find Financial Aid Options for All 50 States
3. Federal Student Loans
To help PT students offset their PT school costs, federal student loans are another prime way to secure financial aid.
Federal financial aid for PT students can come in the form of various federal student loans. They cover the cost of attendance, living expenses, fees, and more to help you pay for your PT education.
On top of that, federal student loans offer specific perks and protections such as:
• Deferment (eliminated for economic hardship or unemployment for loans made on or after July 1, 2027)
• Forbearance (capped at nine months in any 24-month period for loans made on or after July 1, 2027)
• Student loan forgiveness options
• A six-month grace period for new grads
Most federal student loans (aside from PLUS loans) don’t require a credit check, so borrowers won’t need to add a cosigner to the loan. Undergraduate students may also qualify for Direct Subsidized Loans, which are awarded based on financial need. Students are not responsible for paying the interest that accrues on subsidized loans while they are actively enrolled or during qualifying periods of deferment, such as the grace period.
4. Private Student Loans
Private student loans can be obtained from private lenders such as banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions and can help bridge the gap when federal student loans aren’t enough to pay for PT school. That said, it may be tricky for PT students to qualify for private student loans without a cosigner, especially if they have a lower credit score or no credit at all.
In some cases, aspiring PT students may need to ask someone to cosign for a private student loan to help them obtain a lower interest rate and more favorable loan terms.
While private student loan borrowers aren’t afforded the same perks and protections as they are with federal student loans, there are still benefits to using private student loans to pay for PT school.
Here’s a guide to private student loans that can help you learn more about the available options.
5. Part-Time Work
Whether it’s a side hustle or a sanctioned work-study program, there are other ways to pay for PT school that don’t involve a loan, grant, or scholarship.
On Campus
An on-campus work-study program is typically offered by the college or university where a student is attending PT school.
In the case of the Federal Work-Study Program, students are eligible for part-time employment while enrolled in PT school if their college is a participating member of the program and the student meets the program’s eligibility requirements. Checking with the school’s financial aid office is the best way to determine whether or not they offer a Federal Work-Study Program.
Off Campus
The Federal Work-Study Program also offers off-campus employment for a private nonprofit organization or a public agency, typically for work that’s performed in the public interest.
That said, finding your own job on or off campus (that’s not tied to federal aid) is also a possibility. Whether it’s a part-time job at a local cafe, waiting tables at a restaurant, or becoming a nanny for a nearby family, there are other options for figuring out how to pay for PT school.
6. FAFSA
If you’re thinking about using federal student aid to pay for PT school, the first step is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
The FAFSA is a free form that’s completed by current and prospective PT students to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid, including loans, scholarships, and the programs mentioned above.
Take a look at this FAFSA guide for more information about what the FAFSA is, which types of financial aid you may be eligible for, the requirements for receiving funds, and important dates to know.
7. PSLF
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a federally-backed program that forgives the remaining balance on a borrower’s Direct Loans after:
• They’ve made 120 qualifying monthly payments.
• They’re under a qualifying repayment plan.
• While they’re working full-time for a qualifying employer.
The requirements for receiving PSLF are strict, so if you are pursuing this option, be sure to read all the program instructions and paperwork closely.
When deciding how to pay for PT school, this is one reason many prospective students turn first to federal financial aid.
It’s Student Loan Forgiveness programs like these that are among the many perks and protections of federal student loans that can’t be accessed through private student loans.
How Much Can Physical Therapists Make?
While PT school costs can seem a bit steep, the compensation for recent PT grads can potentially justify the price tag for today’s typical PT program.
In 2024, physical therapists made a median salary of $101,020, with the top 10% bringing in more than $132,500 and the lowest 10% earning $74,420.
The Takeaway
When it comes to how to pay for PT school, there are several ways aspiring students can receive financial aid — including grants, scholarships, work-study programs, federal student loans through FAFSA, and private student loans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
What is the average student debt for a physical therapist after graduating?
PTs graduate with an average total student debt amount of around $156,000.
How much can PTs expect to make after graduating?
An entry-level physical therapist salary can range from $65,000 to $85,000 or higher per year, and the median salary among all PTs was $101,020 in 2024.
Will the military pay for PT school?
Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces has different programs and requirements for receiving financial assistance for PT school. Visiting their individual websites is the best way to determine eligibility.
Photo credit: iStock/marinesea
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