2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Ohio
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 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 Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
Leading the list is Youngstown State University, our #1 best value for physical therapy/therapist in Ohio. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $71,371 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #2 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of Mount St Joseph is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $28,273. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,613. That is a strong return on a $28,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Toledo earned it the #4 place for physical therapy/therapist. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $55,685 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $70,332. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Walsh University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. Students borrow a median of $28,064 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,911. Set against $28,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Walsh University admits about 71% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,546. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $75,234. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mount Union landed the #8 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $68,556. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $20,231. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $60,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #10 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $70,824. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Findlay landed the #11 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Findlay. In-state tuition and fees average $41,164. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,759 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Findlay earn a median of $76,841 early in their careers. Set against $25,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Findlay admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Dayton earned the #12 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $71,505. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 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.
