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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region

33 Colleges in the United States
1,617 Physical Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$68,038 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Therapy/Therapist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical therapy/therapist programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physical therapy/therapist students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Therapy/Therapist in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Physical Therapy/Therapist

1

Midwestern University Downers Grove is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Downers Grove, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 46 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Midwestern University Downers Grove generally make around $76,040. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Midwestern University Downers Grove

2

University Of Dayton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical therapy/therapist, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 34 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $71,505 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of Dayton

3

A rank of #3 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for physical therapy/therapist. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 87 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $60,280 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Northwestern University

4
Bellin College crest
Bellin College
Green Bay, WI

A rank of #4 makes Bellin College one of the top schools for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Green Bay, Bellin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Bellin College awarded about 25 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Bellin College earn around $76,907 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,794. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Bellin College

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical therapy/therapist, ranking #5. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 57 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $59,408 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

Bradley University earned the #6 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 27 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $68,874. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Bradley University

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 38 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $56,485 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,982 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

University Of Evansville landed the #8 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Evansville awarded about 48 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $74,335 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for University Of Evansville

9

Western Michigan University earned the #9 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Michigan University awarded about 27 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $60,669 in their early career. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Western Michigan University

10

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #10 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 41 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $61,039 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

11
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #11 for physical therapy/therapist this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 70 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $74,469. Typical student debt for the program is $24,122. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Marquette University

12

Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #12 for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 23 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $72,716 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Concordia University Wisconsin

13
Trine University crest
Trine University
Angola, IN

Trine University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 37 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Trine University in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Trine University earn a median of $71,706 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,765. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Trine University

14

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,332 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,053. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Ohio State University Main Campus

15

Northern Illinois University placed #15 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 24 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $74,259. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Northern Illinois University

16
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 58% of students finish within six years. Oakland University awarded about 60 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $75,977 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Oakland University

17

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 39 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $55,713 in their early career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

18
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University earned the #18 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Carroll University graduates 71% of students within six years. Carroll University awarded about 73 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $71,185 in their early career. Carroll University graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Carroll University

19

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #19 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 38 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $70,824 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

20

University Of Mount Union earned the #20 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Mount Union graduates 59% of students within six years. University Of Mount Union awarded about 29 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Mount Union earn a median of $68,556 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for University Of Mount Union

21

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 46 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $75,234 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Ohio University Main Campus

22

Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science placed #22 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Chicago. About 44 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science earn around $71,190 in the first couple years of their career. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science

23

Grand Valley State University earned the #23 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Grand Valley State University awarded about 56 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $65,197 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Grand Valley State University

24

University Of Toledo landed the #24 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 27 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $55,685 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,875. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from University Of Toledo

25
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

University Of Indianapolis came in at #25 for physical therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. University Of Indianapolis awarded about 44 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $70,588 early in their careers. University Of Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $26,699 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for University Of Indianapolis

Rest of the Top 38 Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physical therapy/therapist education:

26
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
27
28
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
29
Walsh University crest
Walsh University
North Canton, OH
30
31
32
33
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
34
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
35
36
37
38

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 45 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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