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2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Master’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
$24,959 Avg Student Debt
$64,216 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Master's Degree Badge [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. 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.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States

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

1

For return on investment in physical therapy/therapist, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $16,666. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $70,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $81,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Fresno came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $56,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

4

Florida International University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $63,249. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in physical therapy/therapist will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,014 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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6

California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $16,202. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #7 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #8 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,775 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

9
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #9 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $72,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #10 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,829. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $40,855. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

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11

Texas Womans University earned the #11 position 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, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $68,565. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

12

University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #12 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,465. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $47,162. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.

13
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,605. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

14

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #14 spot for physical therapy/therapist value 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, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $60,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

15

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #15 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $72,862 early in their careers. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

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16
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $73,099. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

17

West Virginia University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $58,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

18

Eastern Washington University landed the #18 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $25,326 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $70,652 early in their careers. Set against $25,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University landed the #19 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $25,745. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $71,697 early in their careers. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University earned the #20 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. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,232. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

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21

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,225. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

22

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #22 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,374. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $64,132. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

23

Tennessee State University earned the #23 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.

24

Worcester State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

25

Chicago State University earned the #25 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $43,322 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical therapy/therapist:

26
27
28
29
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
30
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
31
32
33
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
48
49
50

Other Physical Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels

Explore the best-value physical therapy/therapist schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Physical Therapy/Therapist
Associate's Degrees in Physical Therapy/Therapist
Bachelor's Degrees in Physical Therapy/Therapist
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View All Physical Therapy/Therapist Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 293 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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