2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Physical Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/physical-therapy-therapist/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 293 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Our analysis ranked Florida International University the best value for a degree in physical therapy/therapist in the United States. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $33,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $43,684. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at Kean University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $71,277. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Worcester State University came in at #6 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $28,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University came in at #8 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $37,608. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #9 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,374. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $41,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #10 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $23,982. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $32,049. Set against $23,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #11 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,616. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $39,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama landed the #13 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $73,705. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
East Carolina University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $32,371 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University landed the #15 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $31,421. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #16 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $43,631. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University earned the #17 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $28,360. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #18 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $30,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Cleveland State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $66,152. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Toledo landed the #20 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,875. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $37,554. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Princess Anne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,076, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of $30,423 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western Michigan University placed #22 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $60,669. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Alabama State University placed #23 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Students from in state pay about $11,248 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $33,000. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $22,847. That is a strong return on a $33,000 median debt. Alabama State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #24 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,500. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,164. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University landed the #25 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Francis University generally make around $66,408. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical therapy/therapist this year:
Other Physical Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physical Therapy/Therapist rankings across degree levels:
View All Physical Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 293 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
