2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the The Plains States 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools.
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2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the The Plains States 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 Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $70,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #2 place for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,262. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $76,091 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at College Of Saint Mary, which ranked #3. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,510. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $59,350 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at University Of Mary, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $62,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #5 place for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $68,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $69,907. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $59,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,781. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
St Catherine University landed the #9 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $65,228. Set against $29,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Jamestown College placed #10 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,990. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Jamestown College generally make around $70,016. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #12 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $69,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #13 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $72,074. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Southwest Baptist University earned the #14 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,566. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,436 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $71,351. That is a strong return on a $24,436 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #15 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Saint Mary placed #16 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,380. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,810. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,003. Set against $27,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Saint Mary admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #17 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,463. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,217. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University placed #19 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $74,352. Set against $29,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $67,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,687 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Clarke University landed the #21 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $73,651. Set against $26,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clarke University admits about 72% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #22 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $70,244. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rockhurst University landed the #23 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,966. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,111. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,272. That is a strong return on a $24,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #24 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,755 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $70,043 early in their careers. Set against $26,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Creighton University earned the #25 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,856. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,111. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
