2026 Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools

[Pre-Physical Therapy Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-physical-therapy-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pre-physical therapy studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies School for You
The pre-physical therapy studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pre-physical therapy studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools
For return on investment in pre-physical therapy studies, no school beat Midlands Technical College this year. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holmes Community College earned it the #3 place for pre-physical therapy studies. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $21,326. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-physical therapy studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Plains College earned it the #5 place for pre-physical therapy studies. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Casper College placed #6 among the best values for pre-physical therapy studies. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University earned the #7 position for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #8 spot for pre-physical therapy studies value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $52,004. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home earned the #9 position for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $18,097. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $39,011 early in their careers. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #10 for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $31,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Wesleyan College landed the #11 spot for pre-physical therapy studies value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,814 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $58,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Wesleyan College admits about 69% of applicants.
Butler Community College earned the #12 position for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,670 median debt.
South College placed #13 among the best values for pre-physical therapy studies. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,535. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $51,389. Set against $24,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee University placed #14 among the best values for pre-physical therapy studies. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,422 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Huntingdon College earned the #15 position for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Huntingdon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,070. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $28,252 in student loans. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $33,649. That is a strong return on a $28,252 median debt. Huntingdon College admits about 70% of applicants.
Gannon University came in at #16 for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $26,934. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Findlay came in at #17 for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Findlay. In-state tuition and fees average $41,164. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career pre-physical therapy studies graduates make about $57,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Kansas Wesleyan University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $34,630. Students borrow a median of $26,076 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Kansas Wesleyan University generally make around $42,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Oakwood University earned the #19 position for value in pre-physical therapy studies this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, Oakwood University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,512. Students borrow a median of $43,375 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Oakwood University earn a median of $30,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $52,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University placed #21 among the best values for pre-physical therapy studies. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $28,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern University landed the #22 spot for pre-physical therapy studies value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $16,616. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Lubbock Christian University landed the #23 spot for pre-physical therapy studies value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,540. Typical student debt for pre-physical therapy studies graduates is $27,250. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Lubbock Christian University earn a median of $49,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Desales University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,524 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $54,798. Set against $27,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-physical therapy studies schools. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete the pre-physical therapy studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in pre-physical therapy studies:
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Pre-Physical Therapy Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.