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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in Tennessee

6 Colleges in the United States
452 Physical Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$67,754 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Therapy/Therapist is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical therapy/therapist schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Therapy/Therapist in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical therapy/therapist education in Tennessee.

Top Schools in Physical Therapy/Therapist

1
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Leading the list is Belmont University, our #1 school for physical therapy/therapist. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 58 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $73,552 in their early career. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Belmont University

2

The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Memphis, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 61 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $71,678 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,679. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center

3

A rank of #3 makes Lincoln Memorial University one of the top schools for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 55 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $64,307. Typical student debt for the program is $20,693. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Lincoln Memorial University

4

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga one of the top schools for physical therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $72,301 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,324. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

5
South College crest
South College
Knoxville, TN

South College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical therapy/therapist, ranking #5. This large private for-profit university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 176 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at South College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from South College earn around $51,389 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,533. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from South College

6

East Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 39 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $73,616. Typical student debt for the program is $21,301. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from East Tennessee State University

7

Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. There were roughly 31 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $67,436. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Tennessee State University

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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 · 8 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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