by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 10 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy technician/assistant students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy technician/assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Martin Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools in North Carolina. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $42,820.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy technician/assistant will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,512 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy technician/assistant will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $18,236 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $33,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $8,924. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $30,235. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash 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 rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,882 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $38,589. That is a strong return on a $14,882 median debt.
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Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #6 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $10,867. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $37,465 early in their careers. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,702 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $42,374. Set against $18,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute landed the #8 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hudson. Students from in state pay about $2,528 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,528. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earn a median of $35,552 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Guilford Technical Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Guilford Technical Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,320, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $36,277. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.