2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical therapy/therapist students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among physical therapy/therapist schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Gannon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,291. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at Carlow University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #4 makes Widener University Main Campus one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $76,073. That is a strong return on a $26,561 median debt. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Francis University earned it the #5 place for physical therapy/therapist. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Seton Hill University placed #6 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,944. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,556. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $42,829. Set against $26,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,371. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,133. Set against $24,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Messiah College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $73,524. Set against $26,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lebanon Valley College landed the #9 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $76,331. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Neumann University came in at #10 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,100. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $28,450. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Neumann University earn a median of $75,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University earned the #11 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,914. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Alvernia University landed the #12 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $31,900. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $68,231. Set against $31,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alvernia University admits about 58% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $35,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $63,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Arcadia University came in at #14 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,921. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $78,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $75,162. Set against $26,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Chatham University came in at #16 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,001. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $70,974 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,261 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #17 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #18 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Desales University earned the #19 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,524. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Desales University earn a median of $78,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Scranton earned the #20 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Students borrow a median of $26,476 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $74,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Misericordia University landed the #21 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,370. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,262. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Duquesne University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,021. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
More Physical Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
