2027 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Missouri

[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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 Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
Our analysis ranked Missouri State University Springfield the best value for a degree in physical therapy/therapist in Missouri. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $69,907. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #2 place for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. 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.
Southwest Baptist University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot 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. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,436. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $71,351. Set against $24,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $17,553. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $72,074. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned it the #5 place for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,499. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $68,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,687. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $67,636 early in their careers. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rockhurst University placed #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $24,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.