Thank you all!
I just wanted to check, because with many instruments such as a violin or cello, I know you might start with a cheaper student-grade instrument that only costs a thousand or two (or less) and then upgrade, so I was a bit hesitant to try to jump right in with a pedal harp, just when comparing relative costs between instruments. I’m am 99.99% sure that pedal harp is the way I want to go, and I finish grad school in a month, so I’m hoping I’ll have time and money to start soon!