2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southeast 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 Florida, our #1 best value for physical therapy/therapist in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $74,189. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $63,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Itawamba Community College one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $75,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $40,855. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
Marshall University placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $78,238. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #8 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,862. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Central Florida placed #9 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $72,872. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of North Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $69,621 early in their careers. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #11 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,190, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $47,162. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #12 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $58,000. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #13 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $23,324. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,301. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Tennessee State University landed the #14 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $67,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University placed #15 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $71,378. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Western Carolina University earned the #16 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,000. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $54,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
West Virginia University placed #17 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $64,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $70,150. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,444. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Old Dominion University earned the #20 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $75,387. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Augusta University landed the #21 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $25,745. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $74,912 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of South Alabama earned the #22 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,705. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University came in at #23 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $73,616. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
East Carolina University placed #24 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,000. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,764. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University came in at #25 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,227. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical therapy/therapist this year:
Narrow Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
[Physical Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/physical-therapy-therapist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
