2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southeast Region
[Physical Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/physical-therapy-therapist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 67 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 the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among physical therapy/therapist schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $74,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $63,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $75,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $40,855. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $15,117. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $58,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,439. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Marshall University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $25,250. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $78,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $23,399. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,150 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,872. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University landed the #10 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $71,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #11 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $72,862. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #12 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. 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.
University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $47,162 early in their careers. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University earned the #14 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $54,814. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #15 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. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $72,301 early in their careers. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Augusta University came in at #16 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $74,912. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Radford University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $25,514. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Radford University earn a median of $73,972 early in their careers. Set against $25,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College landed the #18 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. In-state tuition and fees average $21,187. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,640. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #19 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Old Dominion University placed #20 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $75,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University earned the #21 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,079 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #23 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $48,749 early in their careers. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #24 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,764. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Georgia Southern University earned the #25 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $50,462. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
