2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Illinois
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
Leading the list is Governors State University, our #1 best value for physical therapy/therapist in Illinois. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $16,666. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,408. That is a strong return on a $16,666 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chicago State University earned it the #3 place for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,838. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
North Central College placed #6 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,380. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $68,874. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University came in at #8 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $60,280. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
