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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southwest Region

16 Colleges in the United States
1,065 Physical Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$67,000 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Therapy/Therapist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 21 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 the Southwest 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

No school ranked higher than The University Of Texas Medical Branch this year for physical therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. About 110 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Medical Branch generally make around $78,929. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for The University Of Texas Medical Branch

2

Northern Arizona University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 93 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $76,945 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Northern Arizona University

3

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center awarded about 66 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn a median of $75,525 early in their careers. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center graduates carry a median of $24,889 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

4

A rank of #4 makes Midwestern University Glendale one of the top schools for physical therapy/therapist. Midwestern University Glendale is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glendale. About 49 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Midwestern University Glendale in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $74,591 in their early career. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Midwestern University Glendale

5

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio awarded about 45 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio earn around $79,193 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,247. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio

6

Baylor University earned the #6 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 128 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $74,108. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Baylor University

7

Texas Womans University earned the #7 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 111 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $60,449 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,211. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Texas Womans University

8

University Of North Texas Health Science Center placed #8 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, University Of North Texas Health Science Center is a mid-sized public university. University Of North Texas Health Science Center awarded about 44 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of North Texas Health Science Center generally make around $74,983. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of North Texas Health Science Center

9

University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center landed the #9 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a mid-sized public university. University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center awarded about 65 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $72,925 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,613 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

10

University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center landed the #10 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Dallas. About 39 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center earn a median of $62,131 early in their careers. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

11

Hardin Simmons University placed #11 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Hardin Simmons University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 43 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Hardin Simmons University in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $77,359 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,674. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Hardin Simmons University

12

University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #12 for physical therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Antonio. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of The Incarnate Word awarded about 47 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of The Incarnate Word earn around $49,729 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,103 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for University Of The Incarnate Word

13

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor came in at #13 for physical therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Belton. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 35 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn around $77,157 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,782. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor

14

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #14 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $58,664. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Texas State University San Marcos

15

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #15 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 26 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $71,142. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at University Of New Mexico Main Campus

16

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 33 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $54,584 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at The University Of Texas At El Paso

17

Oklahoma Baptist University landed the #17 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Shawnee. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $47,100 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,425 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Oklahoma Baptist University

18
Oklahoma City University crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University earned the #18 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 27 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Oklahoma City University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Oklahoma City University generally make around $58,379. Oklahoma City University graduates carry a median of $27,248 in student loans. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Oklahoma City University

19
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University came in at #19 for physical therapy/therapist this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Angelo State University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Angelo State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Angelo State University earn around $76,537 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Angelo State University

20
Langston University crest
Langston University
Langston, OK

Langston University landed the #20 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. About 32% of students finish within six years. About 12 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Langston University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Langston University earn around $39,579 in the first couple years of their career. Langston University graduates carry a median of $30,017 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Langston University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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