How to pay off pharmacy school debt

Becoming a pharmacist is a stable career choice, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an increase in demand over the next eight years. Additionally, there are many options to assist qualifying pharmacists with paying off their student loans.

Average pharmacy school debt

The average student loan debt for 2019 pharmacy school graduates is $172,329, according to a 2019 survey released by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). This is a significant amount of debt to pay off, even though pharmacist salaries are relatively high.

Repayment assistance programs for pharmacy school debt

Luckily, there are programs available that can help qualifying students pay off their pharmacy school debt.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• Amount: Remaining balance on a federal Direct Loan after 120 qualifying payments

Eligible for federal student loans only, Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a program through the federal government. If you're planning on working as a pharmacist in the public sector, you could have your remaining federal student loan debt wiped away after 120 qualifying payments.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Faculty Loan Repayment Program

• Amount: Up to $40,000

To encourage students to pursue faculty careers within their profession, HRSA created the faculty loan repayment program. To qualify you must submit documentation proving that you come from a disadvantaged background. The loan repayment funds can be used for both federal and private loans as long as they were used to fund your pharmacy degree.

State-based loan repayment programs

• Amount: Varies by state
  • California offers up to $110,000 for a full-time six-year service agreement
  • Arizona offers up to $76,000 for a full-time six-year service agreement

In an attempt to help curb the opioid epidemic, the National Health Service Corps is offering loan forgiveness to health professionals who are willing to work in substance use disorder treatment centers. Priority is given to healthcare professionals who have served in an opioid treatment program or are licensed or certified in substance use disorder interventions.

5 tips to pay back pharmacy school debt

If you're unable to qualify for any of the loan repayment assistance programs, there are still ways to pay off your debt sooner.

• Pay your debt during residency. During residency your loans will mostly be unsubsidized federal or private loans. This means they accrue interest and continue growing. Even though you might be allowed to defer payments during residency, try to avoid it.
• Refinance your private student loans. If you have private loans with high interest rates, refinancing could help lower your payment and allow you to put more towards principal each month. Keep in mind refinancing federal loans would mean losing out on federal repayment benefits.
• Make biweekly payments. This strategy is simple, but effective. Instead of making one payment a month, you make half of your payment biweekly. This equates to a full additional payment each year.
• Continue living like a resident — even when you’re done with training. Keep your expenses low even once you have additional income. Put the extra money towards your loan payments.
• Apply your signing bonus to your student debt. It's common for pharmacists to receive a signing bonus, especially if you're willing to work in a less desirable area. Putting your signing bonus towards your student loans can make a huge impact.

Compare student loan refinancing offers

Looking to get a better rate on your private loans? Compare these lenders and find out what types of offers you might qualify for.

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Name	Product	APR	Min. Credit Score	Loan amount	Loan Term
EDvestinU Private Student Loans		4.092% to 8.609% with autopay	675	$1,000 – $200,000	7 to 20 years	Straightforward student loans for undergraduate and graduate students.	Get started More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data…
Purefy Student Loan Refinancing (Variable Rate)		1.88% to 5.54%	650	$5,000 – $300,000	5 to 20 years	Refinance all types of student loans — including federal and parent PLUS loans.	Get started More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data…
Citizens Bank Student Loan Refinancing (Variable Rate)		1.87% to 8.90%	None	$10,000 – $350,000	5 to 20 years	Save on your student debt or manage your parent loans.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data…
Discover undergraduate student loans		Variable APRs: 1.24% to 11.99% Fixed APRs: 4.24% to 12.99%	Not stated	Starting at $1,000	Up to 15 years	Get cash back for good grades with this private student loan provider.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data…

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How long does it take to pay back Pharmacy school debt?

It would take 10 years to pay back the $172,329 average graduate debt, making standard repayments on an unsubsidized federal loan at the 2019 to 2020 4.53% rate. If you can find a way to reduce that amount of time it can significantly lessen the amount you pay in interest.

Calculate your pharmacy school loan repayments

Get an estimate of your monthly repayments by using our calculator.

Bottom line

Paying off student loan debt can be a challenge, even for a high-paid pharmacist. But there are ways to make the process easier. For additional information on loan repayment or refinancing read our guide to student loans.