2027 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical therapy technician/assistant education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical therapy technician/assistant students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the The Plains States 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
Hutchinson Community College earned the #1 spot for value among physical therapy technician/assistant schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $48,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Ozarks Technical Community College one of the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,747 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $26,214 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $39,842 early in their careers. Set against $26,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $13,416. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $42,190 early in their careers. Set against $13,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #5 place for physical therapy technician/assistant. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $11,424. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $32,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $37,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area earned the #7 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,964. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $37,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College placed #8 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,716 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $39,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #9 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $18,616. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $33,912. That is a strong return on a $18,616 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #10 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $44,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,316 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $36,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,316 median debt.
Mineral Area College earned the #12 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $11,750. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $46,535. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.
Washburn University landed the #14 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $22,566. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $45,386. Set against $22,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Linn State Technical College came in at #15 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Linn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $41,050 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Students borrow a median of $21,306 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $38,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,306 median debt.
Lake Area Technical Institute placed #17 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,510. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $35,932. Set against $14,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kansas City Kansas Community College landed the #18 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,996, compared with $6,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,500. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Kansas City Kansas Community College earn a median of $42,823 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $20,327. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $32,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #20 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $29,000. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $39,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clarkson College came in at #21 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,104. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $30,534 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Clarkson College earn a median of $41,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
St Catherine University earned the #22 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $40,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health landed the #23 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,934 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,121 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $37,878. That is a strong return on a $31,121 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Mercy College Of Health Sciences came in at #24 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,664. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $32,929 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Mercy College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $62,029 early in their careers. Set against $32,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Concorde Career Colleges came in at #25 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Concorde Career Colleges is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $18,250. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Concorde Career Colleges earn a median of $38,738 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Concorde Career Colleges admits about 96% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.