2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the Southwest Region
[Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy technician/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
For return on investment in physical therapy technician/assistant, no school beat South Texas College this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,378 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $32,084. That is a strong return on a $10,378 median debt.
Clovis Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,082 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $41,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $7,000. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $42,057 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 San Juan College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $37,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. 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.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $10,112. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $46,461. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $35,879. That is a strong return on a $11,875 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #9 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $17,648 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $29,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #10 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant 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, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #12 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $15,500. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College came in at #13 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $32,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $18,457. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $49,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College placed #15 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,160, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $51,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
Houston Community College placed #16 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,299 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $38,964. Set against $20,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College placed #17 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,938. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $40,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $13,788. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Albert State College landed the #19 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $8,708. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $10,583. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Carl Albert State College earn a median of $38,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weatherford College earned the #20 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $10,860. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $51,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Mohave Community College placed #21 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Texas Community College placed #22 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, Northeast Texas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,980, with out-of-state students paying around $5,620. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Northeast Texas Community College generally make around $39,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System landed the #23 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,553 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $35,884. That is a strong return on a $11,553 median debt.
Tyler Junior College landed the #24 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,500. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $46,586. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
Eastern Arizona College landed the #25 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $24,693 early in their careers. Set against $6,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical therapy technician/assistant this year:
Narrow Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools by State
More Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Rankings
View All Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
