University of Iowa
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $23,962 |
| Tuition & Fees | $250 |
| Living Expenses | $23,712 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $3,462 |
Cover Your $3,462 Gap
University of Iowa Physical Therapy students typically need $3,462 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Small gap — likely manageable
Your $3,462/year gap is below $5,000, which many students can cover through part-time work, savings, or a small private loan.
- A graduate assistantship or part-time work may cover the full gap
- Apply for department scholarships and external fellowships
- If borrowing privately, a small loan at competitive rates can bridge the difference
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for University of Iowa Physical Therapy students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), University of Iowa Physical Therapy students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for University of Iowa?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does University of Iowa Physical Therapy cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for University of Iowa Physical Therapy is $23,962 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $71,886.
What is the funding gap for University of Iowa Physical Therapy?
The annual funding gap is $3,462, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($23,962) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $10,386. This is below the national median of $35,126 for Physical Therapy (DPT) programs.
Is University of Iowa Physical Therapy classified as graduate or professional?
University of Iowa Physical Therapy (DPT) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
Related Articles
Every DPT Program Exceeds Federal Limits
100% of DPT programs create a funding gap. No DPT student escapes private borrowing under the new caps.
Read more →Is DPT Worth the Debt?
Physical therapy program costs vs. starting salaries. How to evaluate whether your DPT investment pays off.
Read more →DPT Federal Loan Limit 2026
DPT programs are classified as Graduate — capping federal loans at $20,500/year instead of $50,000.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from University of Iowa’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 153658.
- Program classification: DPT is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at University of Iowa Physical Therapy faces an annual funding gap of $3,462 based on a cost of attendance of $23,962 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 3 years, the total funding gap is $10,386. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.