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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in Illinois

13 Colleges in the United States
196 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Degrees Awarded
$41,846 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physical therapy technician/assistant students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical therapy technician/assistant education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant

1

Elgin Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 12 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from Elgin Community College earn around $46,319 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy technician/assistant details for Elgin Community College

2
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 13 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy technician/assistant program make about $36,111 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,834. Read more about the physical therapy technician/assistant program at Harper College

3
Fox College Inc crest
Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Fox College Inc came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tinley Park. There were roughly 38 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Fox College Inc in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Fox College Inc earn a median of $42,418 early in their careers. Fox College Inc graduates carry a median of $21,579 in student loans. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Fox College Inc

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. About 13 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,034 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

5

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 20 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $36,524 early in their careers. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy technician/assistant program at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

6
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #6 position for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 19 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $41,235. Typical student debt for the program is $13,891. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from College Of Dupage

7
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Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College placed #7 among the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. About 10 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy technician/assistant program make about $30,529 in their early career. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy technician/assistant program at Lake Land College

8
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College came in at #8 for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of East Peoria. About 18 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Typical student debt for the program is $12,222. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from Illinois Central College

9

Heartland Community College landed the #9 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Heartland Community College awarded about 11 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Heartland Community College graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Get the full physical therapy technician/assistant details for Heartland Community College

10
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL

Morton College placed #10 among the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Morton College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cicero. About 15 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Morton College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from Morton College earn around $42,975 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,734. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Morton College

11

Southwestern Illinois College placed #11 among the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Southwestern Illinois College awarded about 11 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from Southwestern Illinois College earn around $44,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Southwestern Illinois College

12

Black Hawk College landed the #12 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 16 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Black Hawk College in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $39,761 early in their careers. Black Hawk College graduates carry a median of $16,232 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy technician/assistant program at Black Hawk College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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