by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 33 U.S. colleges awarded 260 degrees and certificates in Pre-Physical Therapy Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 86% of graduates. College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,046 one year after completing, rising to $60,109 after four years.
A major in Pre-Physical Therapy Studies involves the study of Pre-Physical Therapy Studies. A Program That Prepares Individuals For Admission To A Professional Program In Physical Therapy.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., pre-physical therapy studies is a widely-pursued major, with 260 degrees awarded annually. 33 colleges award pre-physical therapy studies degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 35.
By level, the 260 awards include 2 certificates, 35 associate degrees and 223 bachelor’s degrees.
Women earned 62% of pre-physical therapy studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (161 of 260). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (176) and Hispanic or Latino (28), and international students earned 7.
College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees and 9 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks pre-physical therapy studies schools within 7 states. In all, 33 colleges offer pre-physical therapy studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
How long a pre-physical therapy studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 35 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 223 |
Pre-Physical Therapy Studies has 10 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 8,895 degrees a year; the largest are Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other (3,693), Pre-Nursing Studies (2,938) and Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies (1,707). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other | 3,693 |
| Pre-Nursing Studies | 2,938 |
| Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies | 1,707 |
| Pre-Pharmacy Studies | 225 |
| Pre-Physician Assistant | 135 |
| Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies | 107 |
| Pre-Dentistry Studies | 68 |
| Pre-Art Therapy | 18 |
| Pre-Chiropractic Studies | 2 |
| Pre-Optometry Studies | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
