2026 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical therapy/therapist students.
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2026 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
Leading the list is Wichita State University, our #1 best value for physical therapy/therapist in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,262. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $76,091. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $70,911. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. 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.
College Of Saint Mary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,510. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $59,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at University Of Mary, which ranked #5. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $69,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Dakota placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,781. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #8 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $59,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of South Dakota ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,322. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $69,059. Set against $26,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #10 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $69,385. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Clarke University earned the #11 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Students borrow a median of $26,895 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $73,651 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Baptist University came in at #12 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,566 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,436 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,351. That is a strong return on a $24,436 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Jamestown College landed the #13 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,990. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Jamestown College generally make around $70,016. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jamestown College admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #14 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $71,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University landed the #15 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
Briar Cliff University earned the #16 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,918 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #17 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #18 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Rockhurst University placed #19 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,966. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Rockhurst University generally make around $71,272. Set against $24,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Saint Mary placed #20 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Leavenworth. In-state tuition and fees average $35,380. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,810 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,003. That is a strong return on a $27,810 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #21 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,755 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $70,043. Set against $26,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #22 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $68,177. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $67,636. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University came in at #24 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,856 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,111. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
