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  6. Doctor of Physical Therapy

Financial Assistance

While the costs of a professional degree such as the Doctorate of Physical Therapy can be significant, the return on the investment is extremely rewarding---both personally and financially. The average annual salary of physical therapists in Illinois is nearly $92,500. Nationally, the mean salary is $92,920 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). Bradley's DPT program is a particularly attractive investment considering that our program is priced thousands of dollars less than similar programs and the cost of living in the Peoria area is at least 1/3 less than that of larger urban areas such as Chicago. Typical Bradley DPT graduates will recapture their program costs within two years of graduation.

Costs and Billing

If accepted, you will be asked for a $500.00 deposit to hold your place in the class. Deposits will be due on January 15th or on the date designated on your offer. The deposit is nonrefundable but is applied to your tuition if you join the class. Bradley's DPT program price of $81,000* covers the entire 3-year program. A portion of the total cost is applied to cover supplies, subscriptions, and APTA dues. APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) dues allow access to vital professional and learning resources. (Three payments of $27,000* are due in May of each year. Any financial assistance a student may have will be deducted at the beginning of each billing cycle. (*Subject to change for each new cohort.)

Graduate Assistantships

The Department of Physical Therapy usually offers a limited number of half-time Graduate Assistantships (on the order of 2 positions). These positions are competitive and apply to only the first academic year of the program with the potential of renewal into the second year. In return for working within the department for 10 hours per week, a Graduate Assistant will receive a partial tuition waiver and a stipend. Because our application process begins so early, we cannot guarantee these positions, even once offered, until late in the Spring semester. If you are interested in a position, a separate application process is required and will be initiated after you are fully admitted into the program. Applications are typically due on April 1.

Student Loans

Effective July 1, 2007, DPT students can borrow $20,500 annually in federal Stafford loans. To qualify, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year they wish to borrow. FAFSA filing and renewal is available online. Other borrowing opportunities can be explored at Bradley's Student Financial Services or at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) web site.

Contact the Office of Financial Assistance at (309) 677-3089 for an appointment or to talk to someone about the specifics of your situation. Be sure to tell them you are an applicant to (or accepted in) the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

Other Fees

  • Vehicle Registration (for on campus parking): The fee for automobile registration is $100.00 for a returning student and $200 for a new student. These fees are not refundable. This allows you to park in student designated parking spaces.
  • Cap, Gown, and Hood Rentals: Graduate students electing to participate in commencement and hooding ceremonies must rent their cap, gown, and hood at the bookstore. Forms for students to indicate size of cap and gown are mailed to students during the semester preceding their graduation once they have filed the Graduate Application for Graduation form with the the Office of the Registrar. There is a $15.00 late fee assessed for orders made after the indicated deadline.

Clinical Education

Full time clinical education courses are conducted at a wide variety of clinics across the state and the nation. Students are responsible for their own transportation housing while on clinicals, and will most likely need a working vehicle to participate. Other associated fees related to clinical education, such as CPR certification, criminal background checks, TB test, etc. are also the responsibility of the student.

Refunds

Students who withdraw from a class may be eligible for a partial tuition refund, depending on the date on which the course was dropped. Students who drop all classes and officially withdraw from the University may be eligible for a partial refund of tuition, room, and board, depending on the date of the withdrawal.

Students should check deadlines and procedures for requesting refunds in the current Schedule of Classes.