Physical Therapy Students Face Debt Concerns, Career Pressure
A survey by Cypress Health Partners reveals significant student debt impacting career choices for physical therapy students and highlights the importance of clinical placements.
Cypress Health Partners has released findings from its 2025 DPT Student Experience Survey, indicating rising concerns among physical therapy students regarding student debt and career pressures.
The survey of 673 DPT students found that over half carry more than $100,000 in student debt, with 92% stating it influences their job decisions. Students rated the return on investment (ROI) for their education at 2.76 out of 5, citing rising tuition, loan rates, and reimbursement challenges.
The report, "The PT Paradigm: Balancing Present and Future," identified clinical placements as the top method for discovering employers, with 83% of students finding opportunities through these experiences. This underscores the significance of mentorship and quality rotations.
While students prioritize immediate factors like compensation and work-life balance, potential for long-term growth, such as continuing education and specialization, ranked lower. However, the long-term outlook for the profession is strong, with experienced physical therapists earning median salaries above $100,000.
Cypress Health Partners stated the survey aims to create transparency and encourage greater investment in team development, mentorship, and career growth pathways within the physical therapy field.