If you are considering going to school to become a physical therapist, choosing the right degree program is one of the most important steps, and with so many degree programs to pick from, choosing between the best schools for physical therapy may seem daunting. While the road to becoming a licensed physical therapist is long, picking the best schools for physical therapy shouldn’t be. To help you select the program that will work best for you, we have compiled a list of the 15 best schools for physical therapy that you should be considering.
Comparison Table
Name of School | Preview | Website |
|---|---|---|
Rice University |  Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org | |
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |  Screenshot from: umich.edu | |
Wake Forest University |  Screenshot from: wfu.edu | |
University of Miami |  Screenshot from: pt.med.miami.edu | |
Boston University |  Image: CC BY-SA 3.0, John Phelan, via Wikimedia Commons | |
Brigham Young University |  Screenshot from: ppa.byu.edu | |
Northeastern University |  Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org | |
Saint Louis University |  Screenshot from: catalog.slu.edu | |
University of Virginia |  Image Source: pexels.com | |
University of Florida |  Screenshot from: pt.phhp.ufl.edu | |
Texas Christian University |  Image Source: wikipedia.org | |
University of Texas – Austin |  Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org | |
Springfield College – Massachusetts |  Screenshot from: springfield.edu | |
University of Wisconsin |  Image Source: pixabay.com | |
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities |  Screenshot from: med.umn.edu |
FAQ
1. What Do Physical Therapists Do?
Physical therapists provide essential services for individuals who have sustained severe injuries or ongoing illnesses. These therapists help patients achieve a better range of movement and manage their pain through exercises and specialized treatment plans. Physical therapists work with individuals to strengthen their muscular capabilities, help them attain greater flexibility, improve their range of motion, and reduce any discomfort. Clinics, private practices, nursing homes, or hospitals often employ professionals in the field, and while most roles are full-time, some are part-time.
Job prospects for individuals graduating from the best schools for physical therapy are excellent. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average annual salary for physical therapists is about $84,000. Physical therapists in the top 10th percentile may bring home over $116,00 every year.
2. What Are Your Degree Options When Choosing the Best Schools for Physical Therapy?
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To become a licensed physical therapist, you must earn a doctoral degree in physical therapy. However, you need to fulfill key educational prerequisites first. You should begin by earning your bachelor’s degree in pre-physical therapy to prepare you for the coursework ahead. Your classes will cover topics like functional anatomy, complex conditions, applied physical therapy, and pharmacotherapy.
When examining the best schools for physical therapy, look at the prerequisites your program of choice requires to make sure you meet them. Most of the time, it is not possible to earn a master’s degree in physical therapy. If you complete your bachelor’s degree in pre-physical therapy, or have worked as a physical therapy assistant, you can transition directly in your doctoral degree in physical therapy. Doctoral programs can take as long as six years to finish and you can earn one in a traditional classroom setting, online, or through a combination of the two.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take your state’s board licensure exam. The individual requirements vary between states, and some may allow you to go through a residency program to get your certification.
3. What Should You Look for When Selecting a Physical Therapy Program?
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There are primary components you should look for when selecting from the best schools for physical therapy for both your undergraduate and doctoral programs. Try to choose a school near where you live as the tuition for out-of-state institutions can be double or triple that of in-state colleges. You will also have more time to get on-the-job experience while you go through your degree program if you live close to your university. If you find that an out-of-state school is still the best option for you, try to select a school that will offer you the most scholarships and flexible degree options.
If you have not started your prerequisites yet, consider a 3+3 program when looking at the best schools for physical therapy. The 3+3 option offers a faster and more affordable way to finish your physical therapy education in a hybrid bachelor’s and doctoral degree program. You go through your bachelor’s degree program for the first three years, while the latter half is the doctoral portion. A few other things to remember when looking at the best schools for physical therapy are the size of the classes, student passage rates for the national physical therapy exam, tutoring options, and the style of teaching.
Some physical therapy programs use traditional learning approaches while others use problem-based learning techniques. Traditional learning programs involve the usual method of professors lecturing to large classrooms while problem-based learning breaks students into small groups to come up with solutions to clinical environment issues. Traditional learning is the method many students are most accustomed to, but problem-based learning offers a more individualized approach.
How We Reviewed
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We reviewed the following physical therapy schools based on their program features, pros, and cons. We chose the best schools for physical therapy in locations throughout the country that offer different degree completion plans, including the traditional classroom setting, online learning, and hybrid programs. We also wanted to ensure that students on a wide range of budgets can find a top-notch program for their course of study, so we selected schools with varying tuition rates and scholarship options. Whether you prefer a large university or a smaller college, we have you covered.
Best Schools for Physical Therapy We Reviewed
- Rice University
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- Wake Forest University
- University of Miami
- Boston University
- Brigham Young University
- Northeastern University
- Saint Louis University
- University of Virginia
- University of Florida
- Texas Christian University
- University of Texas – Austin
- Springfield College – Massachusetts
- University of Wisconsin
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Rice University
One of the best schools for physical therapy is a private college in Houston, Texas. If you prefer smaller learning environments, this might be a strong contender for you. Rice University has just under 4,000 students enrolled in their undergraduate programs, and it has a competitive acceptance rate of 15%. It’s ranked number one among the best colleges for kinesiology and physical therapy in America. Successful candidates should have an SAT score in the 1410-1570 range and ACT score in the 32-35 range. Tuition is about $22,000 per year and financial aid options are plentiful.
PROS
PROS
CONS
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Our next choice for the best schools for physical therapy is a renowned public institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It has nearly 28,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate programs and has an acceptance rate of 29%. It is rated number two among the best colleges for kinesiology and physical therapy in America and number one for colleges with the best student life in America. You should have an SAT score in the 1310-1500 range and an ACT score in the 29-33 range. Tuition is affordable at about $16,000 per year.
PROS
PROS
CONS
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is one of the best schools for physical therapy in the Greensboro region of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This private institution has high ratings and has less than 5,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate programs. It has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 30%, but it’s still fairly competitive. The tuition comes to about $24,000 a year, and the school has a student to professor ratio of 10 to one. Wake Forest offers a beautiful campus with an engaging, dedicated faculty.
PROS
PROS
CONS
University of Miami
Located in Coral Gables, Florida, near metropolitan Miami, this school enrolls about 10,000 undergraduate students. It has a higher acceptance rate of 38% than many other physical therapy programs, and tuition is about $37,000 annually. The university offers a variety of physical therapy degrees, including a two-year doctoral degree, a three-year clinical doctoral degree, and an academic doctoral degree.
PROS
PROS
CONS
Boston University
In the heart of of Boston, Massachusetts, Boston University is one of the best schools for physical therapy in the nation, and it’s rated number five among the best colleges for kinesiology and physical therapy in America. It has an acceptance rate of 29% and tuition is about $32,000 annually. SAT scores between 1220-1420 and ACT scores of 28-32 are required for admission, and the college has a student body of about 17,000 undergraduates.
PROS
PROS
CONS
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is rated number three among the best Christian colleges in America. Located in Provo, Utah, it has about 28,000 undergraduate students enrolled. They have a much higher acceptance rate than other programs at 51% and an affordable tuition of about $13,000 annually. Brigham Young University’s board passage rate for physical therapy students is 100%, which is impressive when compared with the 92.3% national average.
PROS
PROS
CONS
Northeastern University
Also located in Boston, Massachusetts, this private institution is home to about 13,000 undergraduate students. It is ranked number seven among the best colleges for kinesiology and physical therapy in America and it has a 29% acceptance rate. Tuition is about $30,000 annually, but there are several good scholarship options. The doctoral program is ideal for anyone who earned their bachelor’s degree in a field other than pre-physical therapy, and the school also offers an online transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
PROS
PROS
CONS
Saint Louis University
This school has a relatively small student body of about 7,000 students and an acceptance rate of 65%. You must have SAT scores in the 1110-1330 range and ACT scores in the 25-31 range to be considered, and tuition is about $33,000 per year.
PROS
PROS
CONS
University of Virginia
Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the University of Virginia is one of the best schools for physical therapy in the nation, and it has an undergraduate student body of about 15,000. It has a competitive acceptance rate of 30%, but the tuition is very affordable at about $16,000 annually, and the scholarship options are excellent.
PROS
PROS
CONS
University of Florida
The University of Florida is one of the best schools for physical therapy in the southeast, and it boasts a large student body of about 31,000 undergraduates. The admissions rate is less competitive at 46% with affordable tuition of about $15,000 annually. Besides its Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, the institution also offers a joint Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Public Health program.
PROS
PROS
CONS
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is one of the best schools for physical therapy in the nation, and it’s rated number 11 among the best Christian colleges in America. It has a 38% acceptance rate and around 9,000 undergraduate students enrolled. The school’s Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science is a great stepping stone to pursue your career in physical therapy, and tuition is about $33,000 annually.
PROS
PROS
CONS
University of Texas – Austin
A large university in Austin, Texas, this is is one of the best schools for physical therapy in the state, and it enrolls about 37,000 undergraduate students. It has an acceptance rate of around 40% an affordable tuition of around $16,000 annually. It offers both pre-physical therapy undergraduate programs and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.
PROS
PROS
CONS
Springfield College – Massachusetts
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, this is one of the best schools for physical therapy in the country, and it has a very small student body of only about 2,000 individuals. The acceptance rate is around 66% and tuition is around $28,000 per year. It also offers the hybrid 3+3 physical therapy program that allows you to earn your bachelor’s and a doctoral degree in just six years.
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University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, is a large public university with about 30,000 students. It has an acceptance rate of 53% and an affordable annual tuition of around $16,000. The university has excellent scholarships options and an outstanding Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
PROS
PROS
CONS
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
One of the best schools for physical therapy is in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The University of Minnesota has a student body of about 30,000 and a 44% acceptance rate. It’s ranked number 15 among the best colleges for kinesiology and physical therapy in America, and the tuition is affordable at about $16,000 a year.
PROS
PROS
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The Verdict
If affordable tuition is your primary concern when selecting the best schools for physical therapy, we recommend University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Brigham Young University, University of Virginia, University of Florida, and University of Texas – Austin as excellent choices. You might also want to look at the University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota – Twin Cities for affordable degree programs and high-quality course offerings.
Featured Image Source: Pixabay.com
