2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Physical Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/physical-therapy-therapist/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical therapy/therapist students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
For return on investment in physical therapy/therapist, no school beat Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $55,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $59,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,990. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $69,605 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Youngstown State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,373. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $71,371. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $74,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $25,582. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $73,947. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $25,972. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $75,977. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Chicago State University earned the #8 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $43,322. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #9 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,374. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $61,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #10 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $76,207. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $67,191. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #12 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $57,073 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,982 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $56,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,982 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Cleveland State University came in at #14 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $66,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #15 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,150. Students borrow a median of $28,273 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,613. Set against $28,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #16 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $65,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $55,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,053. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,332 early in their careers. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Toledo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $55,685 early in their careers. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Lewis University earned the #20 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #21 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $60,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Andrews University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $21,951 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $72,144. That is a strong return on a $21,951 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis earned the #23 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Students borrow a median of $26,699 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $70,588. Set against $26,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville placed #24 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $74,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Walsh University earned the #25 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,030. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,064 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $69,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical therapy/therapist:
Narrow Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
More Physical Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
