2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Michigan
[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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #1 spot for value among physical therapy/therapist schools in Michigan. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $76,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Oakland University one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $25,972. 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%.
A rank of #3 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,191. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #4 place for physical therapy/therapist. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $57,073 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Valley State University earned it the #5 place for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $65,197 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University landed the #6 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,951 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $72,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #7 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. 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, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $60,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
