2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 65 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy technician/assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in physical therapy technician/assistant, no school beat Lake Land College this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy technician/assistant will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #2. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $39,704. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,335. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $17,369. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College landed the #6 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $46,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Sinclair Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $12,988. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $38,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College landed the #8 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $26,750. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $33,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College earned the #9 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $13,667. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $34,503 early in their careers. Set against $13,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $15,865. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $29,234. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Harper College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $9,834. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $36,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College earned the #12 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $20,432. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College landed the #13 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,075. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Delta College earn a median of $35,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #14 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,891 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $41,235 early in their careers. Set against $13,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,196. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $37,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,196 median debt.
Oakton Community College came in at #16 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $52,161. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College came in at #17 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #18 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,227 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $34,001. Set against $12,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $31,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morton College came in at #20 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $7,734. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Morton College earn a median of $42,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #21 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $20,364. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $28,616. That is a strong return on a $20,364 median debt.
Black Hawk College earned the #22 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Students borrow a median of $16,232 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $39,761 early in their careers. Set against $16,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College earned the #23 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #24 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical therapy technician/assistant:
Narrow Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools by State
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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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
