2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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 Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. 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 $59,408. That is a strong return on a $16,666 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $75,977. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,937. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $55,713. Set against $22,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $76,207 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Andrews University earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,951. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Governors State University earned the #7 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,990. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $69,605 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #8 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $74,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #10 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,161. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Youngstown State University earned the #11 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,371. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University placed #12 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,904. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $71,185. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #13 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $60,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #14 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,336. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $66,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #15 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,039. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #16 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University earned the #17 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $65,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #18 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $28,273. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,613. Set against $28,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Lewis University earned the #19 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Toledo landed the #20 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. 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 $55,685. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $70,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $23,982. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $56,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,982 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Evansville placed #23 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $74,335 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #24 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $57,073 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Central College came in at #25 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical therapy/therapist this year:
Narrow Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
More Physical Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
