2027 Best Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Therapy/Therapist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical therapy/therapist programs.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physical therapy/therapist schools.
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Best Schools for Physical Therapy/Therapist in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical therapy/therapist education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Physical Therapy/Therapist
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 96 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $60,280 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong physical therapy/therapist program will find one at Midwestern University Downers Grove, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 49 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Midwestern University Downers Grove earn a median of $76,040 early in their careers.
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University Of Dayton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $71,505 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033.
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Students looking for a strong physical therapy/therapist program will find one at Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science, which ranked #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of North Chicago. Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science awarded about 45 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science generally make around $71,190.
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Students looking for a strong physical therapy/therapist program will find one at Bradley University, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $68,874 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380.
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North Central College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 32 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete this degree.
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Hanover College landed the #7 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Hanover College graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 92 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Hanover College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Hanover College earn around $35,659 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,980.
See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Hanover College
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #8 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $56,485 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,982.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $59,408 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete this degree.
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Bellin College came in at #10 for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Green Bay, Bellin College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Bellin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Bellin College earn around $76,907 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,794 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #11 for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 45 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $61,039 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans.
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University Of Evansville placed #12 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 49 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Evansville in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Evansville earn around $74,335 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234.
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Western Michigan University earned the #13 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Michigan University awarded about 26 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $60,669 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete this degree.
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Marquette University placed #14 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 66 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $74,469 in their early career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Marquette University
Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #15 for physical therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mequon. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 33 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $72,716 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875.
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Trine University came in at #16 for physical therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Angola. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Trine University awarded about 36 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Trine University earn around $71,706 in the first couple years of their career. Trine University graduates carry a median of $25,765 in student loans.
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Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 49 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,332 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans.
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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #18 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 42 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $55,713 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,937.
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Carroll University came in at #19 for physical therapy/therapist this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Carroll University awarded about 69 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Carroll University earn around $71,185 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete this degree.
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Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $60,974 in their early career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,231 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #21 for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 31 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn around $41,256 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete this degree.
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Oakland University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $75,977 early in their careers. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans.
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University Of Mount Union ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mount Union in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $68,556 in their early career. University Of Mount Union graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans.
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University Of Toledo landed the #24 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. About 28 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Toledo in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Toledo earn around $55,685 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans.
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Grand Valley State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $65,197 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Grand Valley State University
Rest of the Top 42 Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools also placed among the best 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 graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 42 schools evaluated.
- 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.
