The cheapest physical therapy schools in the U.S. in 2024-2025

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is the professional degree required to become an entry-level physical therapist in the United States.

The physical therapy field requires practitioners of diverse backgrounds in its ranks to ensure effective, culturally informed patient care. However, the high cost of a DPT program is a significant barrier to entry for most aspiring physical therapists, who, on average, need to take out $116,183 in loans to fund their PT education.

Many, perhaps yourself included, might ask: does an affordable physical therapy program even exist?

In this article, discover the cheapest physical therapy schools in the U.S., ranked by median debt and total cost, along with other cost factors to consider before investing in a DPT.

How much does physical therapy school cost?

The average total cost of Doctor of Physical Therapy programs is $108,212 for in-state students and $126,034 for out-of-state students, according to the Total Cost of Education Comparison from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). (Note that this list contains numerical errors and may not reflect the latest rates.)

To afford a DPT program, taking out loans is nearly a given. According to a 2020 APTA report, $116,183 is the average loan amount for a PT education among recent graduates. A 2021 study found the average loan amount taken out for a DPT program to be $83,087 for public school graduates and $112,207 for private school graduates.

Taking on large amounts of debt for a DPT program is worth it, experts say, up to a point. A 2018 economic analysis found that once debt reaches $266,000, the economic value of a physical therapist degree is on par with that of a bachelor’s degree. And with $150,000 in debt, the value of a PT education is lower than all health careers (apart from veterinary and chiropractic medicine).

While the high initial cost of a DPT education can be daunting, it helps that PTs are typically well paid. The median salary for U.S. physical therapists is $99,710, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Fresh DPT graduates, who are most likely to worry about student loan payment, make a bit less: physical therapists with 0-1 years of experience earn between $77-$115K, according to Glassdoor.

Cheapest physical therapy schools by debt

When searching for a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, consider how much debt you are willing to take on.

According to a 2020 APTA survey, 43% of respondents considered anticipated debt load as an important factor when deciding on a PT program. In the same survey, 70% experienced mid-to-high levels of anxiety regularly due to their student debt. Only 11% of respondents reported to be debt free, with financial assistance from family as the most reported means of support.

When using median debt as an affordability metric, which universities offer the cheapest DPT programs?

Carroll University ($41,000), Northeastern University ($41,651), and Angelo State University ($46,330) are the cheapest physical therapy schools by median debt at graduation. In general, Texas is an excellent destination for affordable DPT programs by debt.

Check out the full list of the cheapest 15 physical therapy schools below.

Most affordable PT schools by total cost

Below are the cheapest DPT programs based on lowest total costs, as reported by APTA in its Total Cost of Education Comparison.

These rankings are indicative only; always check the total fees of a DPT program in its Student Financial Fact Sheet, which all accredited schools are required to have. If a school doesn’t have one, contact their program officers.

Cheapest DPT programs for in-state students

Total costs for DPT programs are about 14% lower for in-state students than out-of-state, a calculation based on cost data reported by APTA. The average in-state total cost for DPT programs is $108,212.

Georgia Southern University’s DPT program is the cheapest in the country for in-state students, with a $35,478 total cost.

The below schools offer the cheapest Doctor of Therapy programs for in-state students by total cost, with the 20 lowest ranging from $35,478 to $53,755.

Cheapest DPT programs for out-of-state students

On average, a DPT program costs out-of-state students $126,034, according to APTA. With a total cost of $57,412, Arkansas State University is home to the cheapest DPT program in the country for out of staters.

Ranked by lowest total costs, the below schools offer the most affordable DPT programs for students coming from out of state.

Most affordable online DPT programs

Due to the need for clinical experiences and other in-person elements, entry-level DPT programs can’t be delivered entirely online. However, some are offered through a hybrid (a mix of online and in person) delivery format.

How to pay for DPT school

Going to a public school in your state is probably the best way to keep the cost of a DPT program relatively low. That said, DPT degrees are expensive regardless of the institution offering them, and you’ll need to know how to finance yours.

Unfortunately, few payment options for DPT programs exist that don’t involve taking out loans.

Even APTA, in its report “Impact of Student Debt on the Physical Therapy Profession,” acknowledges the lack of non-loan options for paying for PT school.

Since you’ll likely be paying close to the ticket price of a DPT school, don’t hesitate to bring any financial concerns to the schools you’re considering.

For instance, you could ask about average debt and post-graduation earnings among their graduates (these figures are also available in our top 20 physical therapy school rankings).

For more ideas on your payment options, APTA’s Financial Solutions Center offers financial literacy tips and other strategies for paying off DPT school.

Final thoughts

Wherever you end up, the cost of your physical therapy degree will add up. So, in your search for a DPT program, try to prioritize value over prestige to ease the long-term financial burden of the degree. In other words, choose the most affordable accredited DPT program you get into.

For DPT programs, the school name truly doesn’t matter. Whether your school is CAPTE-accredited, which is required for entry-level physical therapist licensure, does.

For further reading, we’ve compiled a list of the best physical therapy programs by value, based on net cost and post-graduation earnings.

Still not sold on physical therapy as the right career for you, and want to explore your options? Take our degree quiz below to discover the best programs by field.