2027 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in Iowa

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 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 Iowa
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 Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for physical therapy technician/assistant in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $37,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Hawkeye Community College one of the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $20,716 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $39,614 early in their careers. Set against $20,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #3 place for physical therapy technician/assistant. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $18,616. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $33,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Iowa Area Community College earned it the #4 place for physical therapy technician/assistant. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,455. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
Indian Hills 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 town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $36,313. That is a strong return on a $19,316 median debt.
Mercy College Of Health Sciences ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,664 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $32,929 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Mercy College Of Health Sciences generally make around $62,029. Set against $32,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College Of Health Sciences admits about 100% 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 · 6 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.