I am a future DPT student trying to decide between NU and University of Pittsburgh. I have had my heart set on NU for two years, I love the city of Boston, and I have lots of family and friends in the area. I was accepted into the 6 year DPT program and got some merit aid and some need-based, but based on what my parents can contribute I will graduate with close to $200k in debt. Pitt’s PT school is ranked first in the nation and I have a guaranteed acceptance there, even paying an additional two years’ tuition at Pitt I will graduate with only (ironic, I know) $30k in debt. While logically everything points to Pitt, I have not yet made a decision because it would break my heart to turn down Northeastern. That said, I was wondering if anyone can provide insight as to what makes NU worth the money. Of course co-op is a great feature, but I haven’t been able to find any information on average co-op salaries and whether they actually offset the cost at all. Additionally, Pitt has almost triple the clinical time, so I will come out with an equal amount of work experience. Will my six years of happiness at Northeastern ruin me financially for life?
No school is work $200K in debt - go to Pitt
Northeastern is unaffordable. That is an absolutely ridiculous amount of debt to take out for any degree.
As a student you are very limited in the amount of debt you can take out. Are your parents even able/willing to take out that much debt? And who will pay it back? Do you have a firm funding plan in place to cover all six years?
Keep in mind that $200k of debt would entail debt payments of probably over $1,000/month for 20 years – that will be an unimaginable drag on your adult life – the need to make those debt payments monthly would handcuff every adult decision you make – if you can afford that house, car, vacation…if you can take that exciting job that pays less. Is that what you want?
You have a great and affordable college in Pitt. Run (do not walk) to Pitt and embrace the school with open arms. I know so many people who have had wonderful experience at Pitt – and if you allow yourself to, you will too. Your adult self with thank you.
If you love Boston you can always live there once you graduate.
Nothing makes NU worth that price. Take Pitt and don’t think twice about it.
You would never be able to get 200k worth of loans to pay for it anyway. Even if you somehow did, the debt would sink your career. The answer is a complete no-brainer. Go to Pitt.
As a NU PT alumni I tell everyone I meet who expressing interest in PT to go to the cheapest school they can find.
You will get any job once you have passed your boards, the school in which you received your degree is irrelevant.
Hail to Pitt! Pittsburgh is a great city and Pitt’s got great healthcare programs across the board, UPMC is right on campus for internship/shadowing/job options. Boston will be waiting after graduation and will be a lot more fun if you have low debt.
With an average salary of DPT ranging 60k to 80k and the top 10% in the low 100k, incurring a 200k debt would likely cause you a lot of financial hardships in the next decade or so after graduation. I would stick with Pitt as well.
Daughter loved NU from the minute she saw it. But the price is too steep. She got into other great schools and let go of NU. She got $$ elsewhere. My niece went to Pitt and loved it. She’s at Stanford now getting a PhD. Sciency stuff. I think you will be in a straightjeacket after college if you take on so much debt.