2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
[Physical Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/physical-therapy-therapist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 293 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical therapy/therapist students.
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Finding the Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist School for You
Where you study physical therapy/therapist affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
California State University Long Beach earned the #1 spot for value among physical therapy/therapist schools in the United States. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $83,234 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $17,492. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $91,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,181. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $83,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $85,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $19,349. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $63,249 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #7 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $72,248. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Florida landed the #8 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $75,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #9 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $81,562 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Snow College earned the #10 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $10,440. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $16,014. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $16,014 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #12 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,408. That is a strong return on a $16,666 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #13 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $55,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #14 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $60,449. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #15 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,829. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $40,855 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Itawamba Community College came in at #16 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #17 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,937. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $55,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #18 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $16,481. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $72,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #20 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Utah came in at #21 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $63,793. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Governors State University earned the #22 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $69,605. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,259. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #24 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $58,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. In-state tuition and fees average $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $47,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical therapy/therapist:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Physical Therapy/Therapist. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 293 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 224 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.
