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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Therapy/Therapist Master’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
6,422 Physical Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$63,553 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Therapy/Therapist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical therapy/therapist programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 293 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 United States

Below are the best physical therapy/therapist schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Physical Therapy/Therapist

1

Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 152 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $74,934 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of Southern California

2
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical therapy/therapist, ranking #2. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 46 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from New York University generally make around $68,246. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for New York University

3

Students looking for a strong physical therapy/therapist program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 71 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $81,856 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

4
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

A rank of #4 makes Loma Linda University one of the top schools for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 80 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Loma Linda University earn a median of $75,739 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,094. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Loma Linda University

5
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

A rank of #5 makes Duke University one of the top schools for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. There were roughly 94 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Duke University earn around $68,778 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Duke University

6

Northwestern University earned the #6 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 87 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Northwestern University earn around $47,186 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Northwestern University

7

Quinnipiac University earned the #7 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Quinnipiac University awarded about 59 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Quinnipiac University earn around $70,958 in the first couple years of their career. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Quinnipiac University

8

Sacred Heart University earned the #8 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 78 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $74,212. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Sacred Heart University

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #9 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students 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 $70,116 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 808 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $73,390 in their early career. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences

11

The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center landed the #11 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Memphis, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 61 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $68,639 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,679 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center

12
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University earned the #12 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 68 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $59,000 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Stony Brook University

13

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #13 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $57,338 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

14

Midwestern University Glendale placed #14 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Midwestern University Glendale is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 49 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern University Glendale in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Midwestern University Glendale generally make around $74,591. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Midwestern University Glendale

15

Suny Downstate Medical Center landed the #15 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. There were roughly 26 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Suny Downstate Medical Center in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $73,084 in their early career. Suny Downstate Medical Center graduates carry a median of $24,882 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Suny Downstate Medical Center

16
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University placed #16 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $75,902 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Belmont University

17
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #17 for physical therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Salt Lake City. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Utah earn around $72,357 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of Utah

18

University Of Scranton earned the #18 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $72,227 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of Scranton

19

Samuel Merritt University earned the #19 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Oakland. There were roughly 41 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Samuel Merritt University earn a median of $78,495 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Samuel Merritt University

20

Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earned the #20 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 34 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earn a median of $64,563 early in their careers. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,056 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences

21

George Washington University came in at #21 for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $54,493 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for George Washington University

22

West Coast University Center For Graduate Studies earned the #22 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. West Coast University Center For Graduate Studies is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 44 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at West Coast University Center For Graduate Studies in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from West Coast University Center For Graduate Studies earn around $86,227 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for West Coast University Center For Graduate Studies

23

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #23 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 29 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $48,775 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

24
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 53 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $75,162 early in their careers. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Saint Josephs University

25
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College came in at #25 for physical therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Messiah College awarded about 26 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $73,524 early in their careers. Messiah College graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Messiah College

Rest of the Top 50 Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical therapy/therapist ranking:

26
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
27
28
29
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
38
Ithaca College crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
39
40
41
42
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
43
44
45
46
47
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
48
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
49
50
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Other Physical Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels

Explore the best 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. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 293 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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