2026 Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Alabama
[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 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 6 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 Alabama
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
Our analysis ranked University Of South Alabama the best value for a degree in physical therapy/therapist in Alabama. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,705. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alabama State University earned it the #2 place for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $33,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $54,040. That is a strong return on a $33,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Alabama At Birmingham one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $72,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Faulkner 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 Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,920. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,942 in student loans. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Faulkner University earn a median of $46,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,942 median debt. Faulkner University admits about 73% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Auburn University one of the best values for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the physical therapy/therapist program here. Early-career physical therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Samford University earned the #6 position for value in physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical therapy/therapist graduates is $21,039. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $74,311. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.
More 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
