2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
[Physical Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/physical-therapy-therapist/) 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 241 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist School for You
The physical therapy/therapist program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,189. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #2 place for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $91,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #3 place for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $83,234. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,020 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $85,961. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $81,562. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #6 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $59,408. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $75,760. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida International University came in at #8 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $63,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Oakland University landed the #9 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $75,977. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #10 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,181. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $83,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #11 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,014 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $16,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #12 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $72,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #13 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $15,117. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $58,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University Northridge ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $55,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $40,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #16 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,937. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia earned the #17 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,439. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,621. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Texas Womans University earned the #18 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $60,449. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #19 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $65,780. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #20 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,645. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $76,945 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #21 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $14,688. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $76,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #22 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,872. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University placed #23 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #24 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $76,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana State University came in at #25 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $73,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical therapy/therapist value ranking:
Narrow Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Physical Therapy/Therapist 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. 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 · 241 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 241 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.
