ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools

240 Colleges in the United States
$16,356 Avg Student Debt
$40,105 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Badge [Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 396 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy technician/assistant students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 5
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.08), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Physical Therapy Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Physical Therapy Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Health Sciences" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Health Sciences" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Finding the Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant School for You

Where you study physical therapy technician/assistant affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

Read more about our methodology

Customizing Your List

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant
Bachelor's Degrees in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant
Master's Degrees in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant
Doctorate Degrees in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 5
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.08), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Physical Therapy Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Physical Therapy Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Health Sciences" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Health Sciences" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
ADBLOCK #171

2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy technician/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools

1

For return on investment in physical therapy technician/assistant, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

2

College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $57,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $20,453. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $41,802 early in their careers. Set against $20,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pensacola State College earned it the #4 place for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #101
6
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College came in at #6 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $7,769. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,529 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Seminole State College Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $36,389. Set against $16,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

South Texas College earned the #8 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $10,378. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $32,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,378 median debt.

9
Gulf Coast State College crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

Gulf Coast State College placed #9 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $40,027. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Hinds Community College placed #10 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $24,505 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #115
11

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #11 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $11,000. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $36,524. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

12
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College earned the #12 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $15,008 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $48,969. Set against $15,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Frederick Community College landed the #13 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Clovis Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. Students from in state pay about $1,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $11,082. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $41,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Washtenaw Community College landed the #15 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,935. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $39,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #16 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $37,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Central Piedmont Community College placed #17 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $35,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College placed #18 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $17,090. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $37,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $26,719. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.

20
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #20 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $7,000. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $42,057 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #150
21

El Paso Community College placed #21 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $8,542. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

West Georgia Technical College placed #22 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $43,389. That is a strong return on a $19,172 median debt.

24

Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #24 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $9,616. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $40,458 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #25 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,335. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for physical therapy technician/assistant this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Nash Community College crest
Nash Community College
Rocky Mount, NC
33
34
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
35
36
Martin Community College crest
Martin Community College
Williamston, NC
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
44
45
46
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
47
48
49
50
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 5
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.08), keeping min_relevance at 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Health Sciences" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Health Sciences" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 2
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.7

ADBLOCK #173
View All Rankings >

Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 396 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options