2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/physical-therapy-technician-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy technician/assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical therapy technician/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
Our analysis ranked Hutchinson Community College the best value for a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant in the The Plains States Region. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $48,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,747 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $32,094. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes State Fair Community College one of the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy technician/assistant will find it at Indian Hills Community College, which ranked #5. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $36,313. That is a strong return on a $19,316 median debt.
Jefferson College landed the #6 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,600 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $37,137. That is a strong return on a $16,600 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $26,214 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $39,842. That is a strong return on a $26,214 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #8 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,964 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $37,325 early in their careers. Set against $14,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #9 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $37,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #10 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $17,000. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $44,455. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College placed #11 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,616 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $33,912 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College placed #12 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $20,716. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $39,614 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,716 median debt.
Washburn University came in at #13 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $22,566 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $45,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mineral Area College earned the #14 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $11,750. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $46,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $19,263. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $36,350. Set against $19,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #16 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $29,000. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $39,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $42,509. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.
Linn State Technical College came in at #18 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the physical therapy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $41,050. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Area Technical Institute placed #19 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,718. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $14,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $35,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kansas City Kansas Community College earned the #20 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $14,500. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $42,823. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clarkson College placed #21 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,104. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $30,534 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $41,699. That is a strong return on a $30,534 median debt. Clarkson College admits about 78% of applicants.
Lake Superior College came in at #22 for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $21,306 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $38,217. That is a strong return on a $21,306 median debt.
Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #23 position for value in physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $20,327. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $32,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Catherine University placed #24 among the best values for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $40,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cape Girardeau Career And Technology Center landed the #25 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau Career And Technology Center is a small public university. Typical student debt for physical therapy technician/assistant graduates is $9,500. Early-career physical therapy technician/assistant graduates make about $25,824. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 27 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 ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
