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2026 Best Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in the The Plains States Region

24 Colleges in the United States
1,439 Physical Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$70,280 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Therapy/Therapist is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical therapy/therapist programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 31 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 The Plains States 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
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

No school ranked higher than Rockhurst University this year for physical therapy/therapist. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Rockhurst University in the most recent year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $71,272 early in their careers. Rockhurst University graduates carry a median of $24,111 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Rockhurst University

2
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Bismarck. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Mary earn around $62,378 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for University Of Mary

3

Students looking for a strong physical therapy/therapist program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 58 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $70,911 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 61 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $68,233 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from University Of Kansas

5

Saint Ambrose University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Davenport. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Saint Ambrose University awarded about 36 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $70,244. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Saint Ambrose University

6

Washington University In St Louis landed the #6 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $72,074 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Washington University In St Louis

7

University Of North Dakota ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 41 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $70,781 in their early career. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for University Of North Dakota

8

Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #8 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. About 77 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $67,636 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,687 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Saint Louis University Main Campus

9

A T Still University Of Health Sciences ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. A T Still University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Kirksville. A T Still University Of Health Sciences awarded about 99 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of A T Still University Of Health Sciences earn a median of $78,943 early in their careers. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at A T Still University Of Health Sciences

10
Mayo Medical School crest
Mayo Medical School
Rochester, MN

Mayo Medical School ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Rochester, Mayo Medical School is a small private not-for-profit university. Mayo Medical School awarded about 28 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Mayo Medical School earn around $76,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,164. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Mayo Medical School

11

University Of Nebraska Medical Center earned the #11 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a mid-sized public institution. About 62 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Medical Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Nebraska Medical Center earn around $74,591 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,905 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from University Of Nebraska Medical Center

12

The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #12 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 145 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $70,043 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,755. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for The College Of Saint Scholastica

13

Creighton University came in at #13 for physical therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 81 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Creighton University earn around $72,111 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Creighton University

14
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #14 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 46 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Iowa earn around $71,754 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for University Of Iowa

15

Wichita State University landed the #15 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. Wichita State University awarded about 41 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $76,091. Wichita State University graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Wichita State University

16

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #16 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $69,907 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for Missouri State University Springfield

17
University Of Saint Mary crest
University Of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, KS

University Of Saint Mary placed #17 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Leavenworth. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 37 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Saint Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Saint Mary earn around $71,003 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,810 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy/therapist program report for University Of Saint Mary

18

Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #18 spot for physical therapy/therapist this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. About 40 physical therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $68,177. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Maryville University Of Saint Louis

19
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine 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 Saint Paul. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at St Catherine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $65,228 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,883 to complete this degree. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for St Catherine University

20

Southwest Baptist University placed #20 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Bolivar. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Southwest Baptist University awarded about 68 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Southwest Baptist University earn around $71,351 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,436. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for Southwest Baptist University

21
Briar Cliff University crest
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University placed #21 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Briar Cliff University awarded about 27 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from Briar Cliff University earn around $74,352 in the first couple years of their career. Briar Cliff University graduates carry a median of $29,918 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from Briar Cliff University

22
Clarke University crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA

Clarke University earned the #22 position for physical therapy/therapist this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dubuque. Clarke University graduates 56% of students within six years. Clarke University awarded about 24 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy/therapist degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $73,651. Students borrow a median of $26,895 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy/therapist program at Clarke University

23

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #23 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 54 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy/therapist degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $69,385 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for University Of Missouri Columbia

24

University Of South Dakota placed #24 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 32 physical therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy/therapist program make about $69,059 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,322. More information about a degree in physical therapy/therapist from University Of South Dakota

25

College Of Saint Mary placed #25 among the best physical therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. College Of Saint Mary graduates 60% of students within six years. College Of Saint Mary awarded about 28 physical therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy/therapist graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $59,350 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. Get the full physical therapy/therapist details for College Of Saint Mary

Rest of the Top 28 Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools

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

26
27
28
Jamestown College crest
Jamestown College
Jamestown, ND

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 31 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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