2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools
[Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 396 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical therapy technician/assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical therapy technician/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
Our analysis ranked San Diego Mesa College the best value for a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant in the United States. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy technician/assistant will find it at College Of The Sequoias, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $57,242. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $11,306. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #4 place for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,453 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $41,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,453 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pensacola State College earned it the #5 place for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College landed the #6 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $10,378 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $32,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $32,934. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #8 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $16,166 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $36,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,166 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #9 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $8,286. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $40,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College placed #10 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $24,505 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College landed the #11 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $15,008. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $48,969. That is a strong return on a $15,008 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $35,967 early in their careers. Set against $17,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #13 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $37,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College landed the #14 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #15 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $16,172. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $37,407 early in their careers. Set against $16,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #16 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $42,057. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
San Juan College came in at #17 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $17,090. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $37,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #18 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $39,704. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #19 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $26,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #20 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #21 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $9,616. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $40,458. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College landed the #22 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $12,275. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College placed #23 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $17,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #24 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $8,542. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #25 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $43,389. That is a strong return on a $19,172 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical therapy technician/assistant this year:
Other Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Degree Levels
Explore the best-value physical therapy technician/assistant schools at other degree levels:
View All Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 396 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
