[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 280 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy technician/assistant students.
Leading the list is College Of The Sequoias, our #1 best value for physical therapy technician/assistant in the United States. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $57,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy technician/assistant will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $20,453 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $41,802. Set against $20,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $40,458. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,512 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $35,967. Set against $17,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District landed the #6 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $15,148. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Lake Land College placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $7,769. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $32,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Del Mar College came in at #8 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $7,000. 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.
El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,234. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Pensacola State College came in at #11 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $9,191. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Shasta College placed #12 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
South Texas College placed #13 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,378 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $32,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $26,719. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Indian River State College landed the #15 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $31,062. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #16 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $39,704. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College earned the #17 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,445 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,445 median debt.
Nash Community College landed the #18 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,882. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $38,589. That is a strong return on a $14,882 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,236 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $33,112. Set against $18,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #20 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $17,500. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,335. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College landed the #21 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $30,882 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #22 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $17,369. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #23 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $19,172. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $43,389. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $49,025. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
St Philips College landed the #25 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $46,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical therapy technician/assistant:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 280 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 280 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).
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
