2027 Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools
[Pre-Physical Therapy Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-physical-therapy-studies/) 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 26 schools to find the best return on investment for pre-physical therapy studies students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies School for You
The pre-physical therapy studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pre-physical therapy studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools
For return on investment in pre-physical therapy studies, no school beat Midlands Technical College this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $39,610. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Nebraska Community College earned it the #2 place for pre-physical therapy studies. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holmes Community College earned it the #4 place for pre-physical therapy studies. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $21,326. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #5 place for pre-physical therapy studies. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University placed #6 among the best values for pre-physical therapy studies. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $24,596. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
Casper College placed #7 among the best values for pre-physical therapy studies. Located in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $12,598. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $39,011. That is a strong return on a $18,097 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #9 for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $31,218. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College landed the #11 spot for pre-physical therapy studies value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,670 median debt.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #12 among the best values for pre-physical therapy studies. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $28,273 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,273 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Wesleyan College came in at #13 for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,814. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan College earn a median of $58,859 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University landed the #14 spot for pre-physical therapy studies value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
South College landed the #15 spot for pre-physical therapy studies value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, South College is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,535. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $24,533. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,533 median debt.
Southern Nazarene University earned the #16 position for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,190 in tuition and fees. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $29,684 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $53,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gannon University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Huntingdon College landed the #18 spot for pre-physical therapy studies value this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Huntingdon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,070 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $28,252. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $33,649. That is a strong return on a $28,252 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas Wesleyan University earned the #19 position for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $34,630. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $26,076 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $42,094. Set against $26,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Seattle Pacific University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $52,713. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Lubbock Christian University placed #21 among the best values for pre-physical therapy studies. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,540 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $49,072. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Findlay came in at #22 for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Set in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $57,676. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University earned the #23 position for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $28,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Desales University came in at #24 for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,524 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $54,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Desales University admits about 77% of applicants.
Samford University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in pre-physical therapy studies:
Narrow Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Pre-Physical Therapy Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 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.
