Obersvation and Analyzation of Medical Physics Graduate School Equity from a Geographical Perspective
Abstract
Purpose
Medical Physics is a niche field that tends to have recruitment issues at the graduate level. There are many factors that limit the field's recruitment capabilities with one largely being financial and geographical feasibility. Many individuals/families do not have the means to acquire a graduate loan or these loans would put them in great financial risk. We aim to analyze the accessibility and equitability of enrolling in a Medical Physics graduate program across America.
Methods
A map was created representing all CAMPEP accredited graduate programs for Medical Physics. This map was then compared to a map of average income in the United States by state, relative to the average graduate school tuition. The results for states without a CAMPEP accredited program were then analyzed.
Results
The average out-of -state tuition for a Health/Medical Physics graduate program in the United States is $28,854, while the average in-state tuition is $13,216 with a difference of $15,638. There are currently 16 states that have a recorded average income and do not have a medical physics graduate program. The average income within these states is approximately $57,860, with some being as low as $28,230. This makes out-of -state tuition approximately 49% of the average individual’s income. In-state tuition is approximately 27% of the average person’s income.
Conclusion
The average American in 16 of our states have an inequitable journey to becoming a medical physicist. These states are primarily in the midwest, with most graduate school options being outside of a driving distance(<2hrs). This barrier could be removed by adding CAMPEP Accredited graduate programs within these states, or the nearest program being included as in-state tuition.