Pre-Physical Therapy Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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 52 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for pre-physical therapy studies students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Pre-Physical Therapy Studies School
Where you study pre-physical therapy studies matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best 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.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Physical Therapy Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
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Best Schools for Pre-Physical Therapy Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the pre-physical therapy studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Samford University this year for pre-physical therapy studies. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 28 pre-physical therapy studies degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039.
See the full pre-physical therapy studies program report for Samford University
Seattle Pacific University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pre-physical therapy studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 11 pre-physical therapy studies degrees were awarded at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their pre-physical therapy studies degree from Seattle Pacific University earn around $52,713 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,188.
More information about a degree in pre-physical therapy studies from Seattle Pacific University
Oakland University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pre-physical therapy studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 24 pre-physical therapy studies degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972.
Read more about the pre-physical therapy studies program at Oakland University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Akron Main Campus one of the top schools for pre-physical therapy studies. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 pre-physical therapy studies degrees were awarded at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-physical therapy studies degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $31,218. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full pre-physical therapy studies program report for University Of Akron Main Campus
Gannon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pre-physical therapy studies, ranking #5. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Gannon University graduates 67% of students within six years. Gannon University awarded about 15 pre-physical therapy studies degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete this degree.
See the full pre-physical therapy studies program report for Gannon University
Holmes Community College landed the #6 spot for pre-physical therapy studies this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. About 13 pre-physical therapy studies degrees were awarded at Holmes Community College in the most recent year. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $21,326 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
Read more about the pre-physical therapy studies program at Holmes Community College
South College came in at #7 for pre-physical therapy studies this year. This large private for-profit university is located in the city of Knoxville. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. South College awarded about 19 pre-physical therapy studies degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Physical Therapy Studies graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. South College graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pre-physical therapy studies from South College
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Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Pre-Physical Therapy Studies. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 52 schools evaluated.
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).