2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Michigan
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy/therapist students.
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2027 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
For return on investment in physical therapy/therapist, no school beat University Of Michigan Flint this year. 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, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $76,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Oakland University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $75,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Andrews University one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,951. 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 strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #4 place for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $67,191 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #6 spot for physical therapy/therapist value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. 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.
Central Michigan University came in at #7 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. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 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.
