2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Ohio
[Physical Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/physical-therapy-therapist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for physical therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
Youngstown State University tops our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools in Ohio. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $71,371 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $66,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of Mount St Joseph is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot 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. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $28,273. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $72,613. That is a strong return on a $28,273 median debt. College Of Mount St Joseph admits about 59% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Toledo one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,875. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $55,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $70,332. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Walsh University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $33,030 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,064 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,911. Set against $28,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Walsh University admits about 71% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $75,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,231 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,196 early in their careers. Set against $20,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Mount Union ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $68,556. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $70,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Findlay landed the #11 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,164. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $25,759. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $76,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton earned the #12 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $71,505. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
