2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Delaware, our #1 best value for physical therapy/therapist in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $74,036. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $81,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $66,028. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #4 place for physical therapy/therapist. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $71,277. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,218. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,358 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $59,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Mercy College earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $28,304. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,580. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $81,165. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #8 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $76,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Saint Francis University came in at #9 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Francis University generally make around $66,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo came in at #10 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $22,232. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,592. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $51,364. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,385. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
New York Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,560. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,472. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore landed the #14 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,076, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $30,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Dyouville College earned the #15 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $34,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Dyouville College generally make around $55,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $65,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Utica College earned the #17 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $47,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Gannon University came in at #18 for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,291. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #19 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,440. Set against $25,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Chatham University landed the #20 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,001. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,974. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
The Sage Colleges ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,164. Students borrow a median of $26,702 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from The Sage Colleges generally make around $63,784. Set against $26,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hill University landed the #22 spot for physical therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $26,556. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Seton Hill University generally make around $42,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arcadia University earned the #23 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $78,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Misericordia University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,370. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $27,262. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Misericordia University generally make around $68,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Lebanon Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $76,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 48 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
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
