Doctor of Physical Therapy – Phoenix Metro
Tuition and Scholarships
SCU Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee
$117,534 in tuition to complete the program.*
SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs allows you to plan your educational investment.
Benefits of our Fixed Tuition Guarantee:
- Guarantees your per-credit-hour rate for the scheduled duration of your program**
- Eliminates tuition price uncertainty
- Allows you to plan your finances in advance
If you would like to learn more about fixed rate tuition, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
You can also visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more about available scholarships, loans, and more.
* Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2027-2028 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
** Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information.
Doctor of Physical Therapy – 6 Terms, 114 credits
| Charges from SCU by Term | Charges from Third Parties by Term | |||||||
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | EXXAT Fees | Petition to Graduate Fee | Background Check | Basic Life Support CPR | Medical Equipment | Total*** |
| 1 | $21,651 | $315 | $130 | $150 | $68 | $170 | $22,484 | |
| 2 | $18,558 | $315 | $18,873 | |||||
| 3 | $20,620 | $315 | $20,935 | |||||
| 4 | $19,589 | $315 | $150 | $20,054 | ||||
| 5 | $17,527 | $315 | $17,842 | |||||
| 6 | $19,589 | $315 | $225 | $20,129 | ||||
| Totals | $117,534 | $1,890 | $130 | $225 | $300 | $68 | $170 | $120,317 |
Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression.
* Tuition is charged at $1,031 per credit hour. Tuition is billed by credit hour and rates reflected above represent the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2027/2028 academic year. Tuition rates and fees are subject to change and may not be reflected on the website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled.
** Program fees listed are for the 2027/2028 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, malpractice insurance, and ASB, and are charged every term that the student is enrolled.
** Books, supplies, and other equipment not included in this tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.
Total Cost of Attendance & Value of the DPT Degree
Understanding the full cost of your Doctor of Physical Therapy education is an important part of your enrollment decision. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) establishes a new federal financial-aid framework scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, with anticipated implications for how SCU graduate students fund their education starting in the 2026–2027 academic year.1
Under OBBBA, students may use a combination of federal unsubsidized loans, private education loans, scholarships, and personal resources to cover their total cost of attendance (COA).
The estimates below reflect a typical Arizona-based student and are provided for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary based on individual living arrangements, transportation choices, and personal spending decisions. To determine your personalized cost of attendance, please contact SCU’s Financial Aid Office at financialaid@scuhs.edu.
Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance (COA)
SCU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program runs 3 terms per academic year, and the estimated annual cost of attendance includes both direct costs (paid to SCU) and indirect costs associated with living and studying in Arizona.2 These figures are estimates for planning purposes only, additional fees may be required and may change annually. Visit mySCU for additional details.
| Category | Estimated Annual Cost With Parent/Relative | Estimated Annual Cost Off-Campus |
| Tuition | $58,767 | $58,767 |
| University Fees3 | $1,327 | $1,327 |
| Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment | $2,301 | $2,301 |
| Living Expenses | – | $32,748 |
| Transportation | $2,208 | $2,208 |
| Personal Expenses | $7,608 | $7,608 |
| Loan Fees4 | $1,245 | $1,245 |
| Total Estimated Annual COA | $73,456 | $106,204 |
Financing Your Education Under OBBBA (Effective July 1, 2026)
Beginning in 2026, OBBBA introduces a new financial aid structure for graduate students. As an SCU DPT student, your financing plan may include the following:
- Federal Unsubsidized Loan: Anticipated caps of up to $10,250 per term (3 terms per academic year) or $30,750 a year, subject to applicable federal annual5/lifetime limits in effect for the award year. Interest accrues from the time of disbursement, and these loans often serve as the foundation of a student’s borrowing plan.
- Private Education Loans: Offered through participating lenders; terms vary. Some lenders may subsidize interest while you are enrolled, and terms are credit-based and vary by private lender. SCU provides students with access to private lenders through the FastChoice website6.
- Scholarships: SCU offers merit and need-based awards that reduce total borrowing. Visit Scholarships for details.
- Remaining Costs: Typically covered through scholarships, private loans, or personal resources.
SCU’s Financial Aid team is available to help you evaluate options and build a personalized financing approach.
Evaluating the Return on Investment
A Doctor of Physical Therapy degree offers professional and financial value, particularly in Arizona’s health-care environment. Individual outcomes vary widely based on geographic location, practice setting, hours worked, and business ownership.
- Physical Therapist earnings: Range from $101,660 average to $131,3807 at the 90% percentile annually.
- Repayment considerations: Loan-repayment timelines depend on total borrowing, income, and repayment plan selection.
- Long-term outlook: Over a multi-decade career, DPT/PT/Physical Therapists may generate substantial lifetime earnings, depending on market conditions and professional trajectory.
Your results will differ. SCU’s Financial Aid team can help you model scenarios based on your anticipated borrowing and career goals.
1 The information provided reflects current understanding of the federal financial aid changes under OBBBA as of 2/10/26 and is not intended to be legal advice. Many aspects of implementation, including transition rules, eligibility criteria, and timelines, are still subject to rulemaking and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. Policies, processes, and guidance may change as new details emerge, and SCU will update this page. Please also consult federal resources at studentaid.gov for additional information or contact the SCU Financial Aid Team directly at financialaid@scuhs.edu.
3 COA is a budgeting and financial aid eligibility figure. Your actual bill from SCU typically only includes direct costs.
3 Typical fees on an annual basis
4 Loan fees vary based on federal rates and borrowing amounts in a given academic year.
5 SCU’s DPT program runs 3 terms per academic year; the “annual” COA reflects three terms.
6 SCU does not endorse any specific lender; terms vary by borrower’s creditworthiness.
7 Source: O*Net Physical Therapists Arizona