2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[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 50 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 Middle Atlantic 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
Leading the list is University Of Delaware, our #1 best value for physical therapy/therapist in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,036. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $11,091. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $81,562. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $71,277. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Stony Brook University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,028. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Daemen College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Daemen College generally make around $59,152. Set against $28,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College placed #6 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $76,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #8 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $81,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $51,364. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Utica College placed #10 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,930 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $47,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #11 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $56,592. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore placed #12 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,076 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $30,423. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $71,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Dyouville College landed the #14 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,940 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,250. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dyouville College admits about 81% of applicants.
Carlow University landed the #15 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Carlow University earn a median of $66,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
New York Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,560. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,435 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Gannon University earned the #17 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,934. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #18 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $65,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Widener University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,561 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $76,073. That is a strong return on a $26,561 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hill University landed the #20 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,944. Students borrow a median of $26,556 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Seton Hill University generally make around $42,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The Sage Colleges landed the #21 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,164. Students borrow a median of $26,702 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $63,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University came in at #22 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,408. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,767. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $76,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #24 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,371 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $52,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Messiah College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $73,524 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical therapy/therapist this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.