2026 Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Pre-Physical Therapy Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-physical-therapy-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pre-physical therapy studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Oakland University earned the #1 spot for value among pre-physical therapy studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $54,785. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in pre-physical therapy studies will find it at University Of Akron Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The University Of Findlay came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Set in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,164. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $57,676. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northwestern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-physical therapy studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
