2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in California
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
Leading the list is San Diego Mesa College, our #1 best value for physical therapy technician/assistant in California. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Sacramento City College one of the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,008 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $48,969 early in their careers. 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 Shasta College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Bakersfield College earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $9,419. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mendocino College landed the #7 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Ukiah, Mendocino College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,423, compared with $10,003 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $20,000. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $81,203. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
East Los Angeles College came in at #8 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $8,180. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
College Of The Desert ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. College Of The Desert is a large public school located in the city of Palm Desert. Students from in state pay about $1,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,174. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $7,826. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from College Of The Desert generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohlone Community College came in at #10 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Fremont, Ohlone Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,202, with out-of-state students paying around $8,714. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Ohlone Community College generally make around $22,545. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College Garden Grove placed #11 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Concorde Career College Garden Grove is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden Grove. Students borrow a median of $19,625 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $42,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Cbd College landed the #12 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Cbd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $13,800. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Cbd College earn a median of $41,319 early in their careers. Set against $13,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College North Hollywood ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of North Hollywood, Concorde Career College North Hollywood is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Concorde Career College North Hollywood earn a median of $40,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
American College Of Healthcare Riverside landed the #14 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, American College Of Healthcare Riverside is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from American College Of Healthcare Riverside generally make around $21,250. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College San Diego ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Concorde Career College San Diego is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Concorde Career College San Diego generally make around $41,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concorde Career College San Diego admits about 100% of applicants.
Institute Of Technology Inc came in at #16 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Clovis, Institute Of Technology Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $17,782. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Institute Of Technology Inc generally make around $43,503. Set against $17,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American College Of Healthcare Huntington Park landed the #17 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. American College Of Healthcare Huntington Park is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Huntington Park. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from American College Of Healthcare Huntington Park generally make around $21,250. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
California Baptist University earned the #18 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Unitek College earned the #19 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Unitek College is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Fremont. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,790 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Unitek College earn a median of $56,917 early in their careers. Set against $7,790 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanbridge College landed the #20 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Stanbridge College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $30,764. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Stanbridge College generally make around $50,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
American Career College Anaheim came in at #21 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Anaheim, American Career College Anaheim is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $18,250. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,881. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
Casa Loma College Van Nuys earned the #22 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Casa Loma College Van Nuys is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sherman Oaks. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $27,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Casa Loma College Van Nuys generally make around $56,092. That is a strong return on a $27,291 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
American Career College Ontario ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the city of Ontario, American Career College Ontario is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from American Career College Ontario generally make around $25,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute San Marcos placed #24 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Pima Medical Institute San Marcos is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute San Marcos earn a median of $38,045 early in their careers. Set against $18,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts placed #25 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the city of San Jose, Gurnick Academy Of Medical Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,321 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $45,431. Set against $11,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical therapy technician/assistant this year:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
