66 Best Physical Therapy schools in California, US

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in California ranked based on their research performance in Physical Therapy. A graph of 4.26M citations received by 91.2K academic papers made by 66 universities in California was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Stanford University

Stanford

For Physical Therapy

#6 in the United States

#7 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

2. University of California - San Francisco

San Francisco

For Physical Therapy

#7 in the United States

#10 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

3. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#13 in the United States

#17 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

4. University of California-San Diego

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#19 in the United States

#26 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#29 in the United States

#37 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

6. University of California - Davis

Davis

For Physical Therapy

#52 in the United States

#64 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

7. University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley

For Physical Therapy

#57 in the United States

#70 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

8. University of California - Irvine

Irvine

For Physical Therapy

#61 in the United States

#74 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

9. San Diego State University

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#79 in the United States

#93 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Receiving Aid: 62%
Average Aid: $12,053
Enrollment: 41,137

10. Loma Linda University

Loma Linda

For Physical Therapy

#130 in the United States

#151 in North America

Enrollment: 4,210
Male:Female: 34:66
Founded: 1905

11. San Jose State University

San Jose

For Physical Therapy

#146 in the United States

#169 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 69%
Average Aid: $12,353
Enrollment: 37,661

12. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton

For Physical Therapy

#154 in the United States

#177 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 83%
Average Aid: $11,234
Enrollment: 43,662

13. University of California - Riverside

Riverside

For Physical Therapy

#181 in the United States

#206 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

14. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena

For Physical Therapy

#184 in the United States

#210 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

15. University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

For Physical Therapy

#185 in the United States

#212 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

16. Palo Alto University

Palo Alto

For Physical Therapy

#218 in the United States

#249 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,065
Male:Female: 16:84
Founded: 1975

17. Western University of Health Sciences

Pomona

For Physical Therapy

#222 in the United States

#254 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 3,665
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1977

18. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach

For Physical Therapy

#235 in the United States

#267 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Receiving Aid: 82%
Average Aid: $11,795
Enrollment: 42,003

19. California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento

For Physical Therapy

#239 in the United States

#272 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Receiving Aid: 86%
Average Aid: $12,767
Enrollment: 31,943

20. San Francisco State University

San Francisco

For Physical Therapy

#241 in the United States

#274 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Receiving Aid: 81%
Average Aid: $12,996
Enrollment: 22,563

21. California State University - Northridge

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#244 in the United States

#277 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Receiving Aid: 86%
Average Aid: $12,825
Enrollment: 38,313

22. California State University - Fresno

Fresno

For Physical Therapy

#268 in the United States

#304 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $12,326
Enrollment: 24,427

23. University of the Pacific

Stockton

For Physical Therapy

#277 in the United States

#313 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1332
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $31,670

24. California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos

For Physical Therapy

#280 in the United States

#316 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $11,123
Enrollment: 16,237

25. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo

For Physical Therapy

#289 in the United States

#325 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Receiving Aid: 62%
Average Aid: $14,338
Enrollment: 23,069

26. Alliant International University - San Diego

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#304 in the United States

#340 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 0%
Net Price: $25,481
Receiving Aid: 33%
Average Aid: $9,411

27. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#307 in the United States

#343 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $13,824
Enrollment: 23,163

28. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#312 in the United States

#348 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $35,558
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $4,276

29. University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

For Physical Therapy

#315 in the United States

#351 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

30. West Los Angeles College

Culver

For Physical Therapy

#322 in the United States

#358 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 83%
Average Aid: $5,857
Enrollment: 9,255

31. Chapman University

Orange

For Physical Therapy

#327 in the United States

#363 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1350
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $47,902

32. University of San Diego

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#338 in the United States

#375 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Net Price: $37,918
Receiving Aid: 87%
Average Aid: $40,965

33. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

Pomona

For Physical Therapy

#344 in the United States

#381 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $11,833
Enrollment: 27,636

34. Fielding Graduate University

Santa Barbara

For Physical Therapy

#366 in the United States

#405 in North America

Enrollment: 915
Male:Female: 18:82
Founded: 1974

35. University of San Francisco

San Francisco

For Physical Therapy

#379 in the United States

#419 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $45,443

36. Pepperdine University

Malibu

For Physical Therapy

#381 in the United States

#421 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $66,585

37. California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino

For Physical Therapy

#394 in the United States

#435 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $12,167
Enrollment: 18,492

38. Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#395 in the United States

#436 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $59,926

39. Santa Clara University

Santa Clara

For Physical Therapy

#400 in the United States

#441 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Average SAT: 1420
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $53,883

40. Samuel Merritt University

Oakland

For Physical Therapy

#403 in the United States

#444 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 1,926
Male:Female: 22:78
Founded: 1909

41. Humboldt State University

Arcata

For Physical Therapy

#407 in the United States

#448 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 98%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $10,748
Enrollment: 6,237

42. Southern California University of Health Sciences

Whittier

For Physical Therapy

#408 in the United States

#449 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $51,174
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $6,566

43. California State University - Chico

Chico

For Physical Therapy

#414 in the United States

#455 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $11,509
Enrollment: 15,257

44. Azusa Pacific University

Azusa

For Physical Therapy

#465 in the United States

#512 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1111
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $26,143

45. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson

For Physical Therapy

#478 in the United States

#525 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $13,951
Enrollment: 15,182

46. California State University - Monterey Bay

Seaside

For Physical Therapy

#487 in the United States

#534 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 97%
Receiving Aid: 76%
Average Aid: $12,185
Enrollment: 7,713

47. Dominican University of California

San Rafael

For Physical Therapy

#501 in the United States

#548 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1255
Net Price: $37,456
Receiving Aid: 100%

48. University of California - Merced

Merced

For Physical Therapy

#523 in the United States

#572 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $27,292
Enrollment: 9,110

49. Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey

For Physical Therapy

#530 in the United States

#580 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 2,441
Male:Female: 79:21
Founded: 1909

50. Pomona College

Claremont

For Physical Therapy

#536 in the United States

#586 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $19,938

51. California State University - East Bay

Hayward

For Physical Therapy

#541 in the United States

#591 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 97%
Receiving Aid: 82%
Average Aid: $12,369
Enrollment: 12,326

52. Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park

For Physical Therapy

#593 in the United States

#643 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Receiving Aid: 87%
Average Aid: $9,094
Enrollment: 5,891

53. Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#610 in the United States

#661 in North America

Enrollment: 52
Male:Female: 32:68

54. Saybrook University

Oakland

For Physical Therapy

#633 in the United States

#685 in North America

Enrollment: 1,057
Male:Female: 17:83
Founded: 1971

55. California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks

For Physical Therapy

#634 in the United States

#686 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $32,774

56. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield

For Physical Therapy

#643 in the United States

#695 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,966
Enrollment: 10,419

57. Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#650 in the United States

#704 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $39,696

58. University of the West

Rosemead

For Physical Therapy

#657 in the United States

#711 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $14,713
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $9,445

59. Claremont Graduate University

Claremont

For Physical Therapy

#662 in the United States

#717 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 1,771
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1925

60. Marshall B Ketchum University

Fullerton

For Physical Therapy

#681 in the United States

#738 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 653
Male:Female: 26:74
Founded: 1904

61. Touro University California

Vallejo

For Physical Therapy

#685 in the United States

#742 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 0%
Enrollment: 1,144
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1997

62. Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#695 in the United States

#754 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Net Price: $39,401
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,599

63. California Baptist University

Riverside

For Physical Therapy

#703 in the United States

#762 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Net Price: $27,862
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $26,743

64. Master's University and Seminary

Santa Clarita

For Physical Therapy

#734 in the United States

#794 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Net Price: $37,919
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $16,990

65. California State University Maritime Academy

Vallejo

For Physical Therapy

#740 in the United States

#801 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 68%
Average Aid: $11,038
Enrollment: 837

66. West Coast University - Orange County

Anaheim

For Physical Therapy

#776 in the United States

#841 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $28,081
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $5,020

Closest to California states to learn Physical Therapy

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Nevada	3	139
Oregon	13	30
Utah	7	24
Arizona	6	46
Idaho	3	194
Washington	15	2
Colorado	16	49
New Mexico	3	94
Montana	3	177
Nebraska	7	104
South Dakota	6	238
Kansas	8	71
Texas	51	34
Oklahoma	7	106
North Dakota	3	202
Minnesota	14	12
Iowa	9	25
Missouri	20	21
Arkansas	8	113
Louisiana	12	90
Wisconsin	16	14
Illinois	31	10
Mississippi	6	136
Indiana	18	38
Michigan	17	5
Tennessee	20	60
Alabama	17	22
Kentucky	10	50
Ohio	27	20
Georgia	23	31
West Virginia	6	85
South Carolina	11	39
North Carolina	22	9
Virginia	21	40
Pennsylvania	53	4
Florida	24	8
District of Columbia	6	77
Maryland	13	3
New York	65	18
New Jersey	14	47
Vermont	3	68
Hawaii	4	149
Connecticut	14	16
Massachusetts	37	1
New Hampshire	6	118
Rhode Island	4	42
Maine	5	276
Puerto Rico	5	411