Private practice physical therapy, cash-based PT, and clinic careers are being shaped by one silent force: student loans. This MBA for the DPT episode breaks down PSLF, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness strategies so PTs and clinic owners can make smarter financial decisions and avoid burnout.
If you’re a DPT feeling stuck in a job because of your loans — or you’re a clinic owner watching staff leave due to debt stress — this conversation matters.
Most PTs were told: “Just pay it off as fast as possible.”
That advice can cost six figures.
Connor Pierce explains:
The difference between PSLF and long-term forgiveness
How income-driven repayment actually works
What a “tax bomb” really means
How refinancing can permanently eliminate your options
Why student debt may be fueling burnout and career exits
This isn’t hype. It’s strategy.
When PTs understand their options, they regain career flexibility. That affects hiring, retention, mentorship, and the long-term health of the profession.
00:00 Student Loan Reality Check
04:18 PSLF Explained Clearly
10:42 Long-Term Forgiveness Options
18:05 Income-Driven Payment Strategy
24:39 Loan Myths and Misinformation
32:58 Refinancing Fatal Mistakes
Guest Resources
Connor Pierce – After the DPT
🌐 https://afterthedpt.com
