2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
California State University Fresno earned the #1 spot for value among physical therapy/therapist schools in California. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $72,248. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $83,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,764. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $91,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $17,024. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $85,961. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Diego State University came in at #6 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $67,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #7 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $23,709. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $82,817. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
Mount St Marys College earned the #8 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,564. Students borrow a median of $27,555 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $89,701. That is a strong return on a $27,555 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific came in at #9 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $88,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,514 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $77,049. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[Physical Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/physical-therapy-therapist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
