2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Bachelor’s Degree 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools.
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2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
For return on investment in physical therapy/therapist, no school beat Florida International University this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $63,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for physical therapy/therapist. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $33,530. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,014 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,404. 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 Kean University earned it the #4 place for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,703. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Kean University earn a median of $71,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. 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.
Andrews University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $21,951 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,144. That is a strong return on a $21,951 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $28,195 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #8 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $72,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University earned the #9 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,000. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $37,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Utah placed #10 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $20,798. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $43,684. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Western Michigan University placed #11 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $60,669. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $41,370 early in their careers. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
East Carolina University earned the #13 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. 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. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,000. 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.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #14 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,982 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $32,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,982 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #15 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $30,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Georgia Southern University came in at #16 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $28,360. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University placed #17 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $31,421. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University earned the #18 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $43,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Cleveland State University earned the #19 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,336. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #20 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $23,608. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $68,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo landed the #22 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $37,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Central Michigan University came in at #23 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of South Alabama earned the #24 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,513. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #25 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. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 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 list is compiled 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
