64 Best Physical Therapy schools in California, US

Updated: February 29, 2024

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 3.14M citations received by 78.6K academic papers made by 64 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: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

2. University of California - San Francisco

San Francisco

For Physical Therapy

#7 in the United States

#10 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,140
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

3. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#14 in the United States

#18 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

4. University of California-San Diego

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#19 in the United States

#26 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#28 in the United States

#36 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

6. University of California - Davis

Davis

For Physical Therapy

#54 in the United States

#66 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

7. University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley

For Physical Therapy

#55 in the United States

#68 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

8. University of California - Irvine

Irvine

For Physical Therapy

#65 in the United States

#78 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

9. San Diego State University

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#74 in the United States

#87 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $9,934
Enrollment: 37,402

10. San Jose State University

San Jose

For Physical Therapy

#128 in the United States

#148 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $9,210
Enrollment: 35,751

11. Loma Linda University

Loma Linda

For Physical Therapy

#129 in the United States

#149 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 4,280
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1905

12. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton

For Physical Therapy

#151 in the United States

#173 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $9,194
Enrollment: 40,386

13. University of California - Riverside

Riverside

For Physical Therapy

#174 in the United States

#198 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $22,042
Enrollment: 26,809

14. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena

For Physical Therapy

#183 in the United States

#207 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $20,755
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $59,192

15. University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

For Physical Therapy

#189 in the United States

#214 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $20,389
Enrollment: 26,420

16. Palo Alto University

Palo Alto

For Physical Therapy

#219 in the United States

#250 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,129
Male:Female: 14:86
Founded: 1975

17. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach

For Physical Therapy

#221 in the United States

#252 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $9,478
Enrollment: 38,973

18. California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento

For Physical Therapy

#227 in the United States

#258 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Receiving Aid: 82%
Average Aid: $9,590
Enrollment: 31,818

19. San Francisco State University

San Francisco

For Physical Therapy

#243 in the United States

#276 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Receiving Aid: 78%
Average Aid: $9,830
Enrollment: 25,282

20. California State University - Northridge

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#245 in the United States

#278 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 85%
Average Aid: $10,511
Enrollment: 37,579

21. Western University of Health Sciences

Pomona

For Physical Therapy

#247 in the United States

#280 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 3,724
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1977

22. California State University - Fresno

Fresno

For Physical Therapy

#267 in the United States

#302 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $9,968
Enrollment: 23,999

23. California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos

For Physical Therapy

#272 in the United States

#308 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $8,922
Enrollment: 15,109

24. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#291 in the United States

#327 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $10,907
Enrollment: 26,460

25. Alliant International University - San Diego

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#295 in the United States

#331 in North America

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

26. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#303 in the United States

#339 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Net Price: $27,637
Receiving Aid: 73%
Average Aid: $11,419

27. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo

For Physical Therapy

#305 in the United States

#341 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $10,065
Enrollment: 22,000

28. University of the Pacific

Stockton

For Physical Therapy

#307 in the United States

#343 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1272
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $28,164

29. West Los Angeles College

Culver

For Physical Therapy

#311 in the United States

#347 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $6,951
Enrollment: 8,656

30. Chapman University

Orange

For Physical Therapy

#315 in the United States

#351 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $45,033

31. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

Pomona

For Physical Therapy

#323 in the United States

#359 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Receiving Aid: 77%
Average Aid: $9,040
Enrollment: 27,503

32. University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

For Physical Therapy

#338 in the United States

#374 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $21,202
Enrollment: 19,478

33. University of San Francisco

San Francisco

For Physical Therapy

#365 in the United States

#403 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $42,953

34. Pepperdine University

Malibu

For Physical Therapy

#370 in the United States

#409 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1383
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $47,804

35. Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#378 in the United States

#417 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $52,815

36. University of San Diego

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#388 in the United States

#427 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Net Price: $36,008
Receiving Aid: 84%
Average Aid: $36,408

37. Fielding Graduate University

Santa Barbara

For Physical Therapy

#392 in the United States

#431 in North America

Enrollment: 1,000
Male:Female: 21:79
Founded: 1974

38. Santa Clara University

Santa Clara

For Physical Therapy

#395 in the United States

#434 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $50,551

39. Samuel Merritt University

Oakland

For Physical Therapy

#400 in the United States

#440 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 1,911
Male:Female: 23:77
Founded: 1909

40. Southern California University of Health Sciences

Whittier

For Physical Therapy

#401 in the United States

#441 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $17,273
Receiving Aid: 50%
Average Aid: $2,117

41. California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino

For Physical Therapy

#406 in the United States

#446 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $9,871
Enrollment: 19,803

42. California State University - Chico

Chico

For Physical Therapy

#407 in the United States

#447 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Receiving Aid: 72%
Average Aid: $9,162
Enrollment: 14,183

43. Humboldt State University

Arcata

For Physical Therapy

#437 in the United States

#481 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 98%
Receiving Aid: 76%
Average Aid: $9,262
Enrollment: 6,025

44. Azusa Pacific University

Azusa

For Physical Therapy

#453 in the United States

#498 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $26,666

45. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson

For Physical Therapy

#485 in the United States

#531 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $9,819
Enrollment: 16,426

46. California State University - Monterey Bay

Seaside

For Physical Therapy

#503 in the United States

#550 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Receiving Aid: 77%
Average Aid: $8,702
Enrollment: 7,045

47. Pomona College

Claremont

For Physical Therapy

#535 in the United States

#583 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $19,962

48. Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey

For Physical Therapy

#540 in the United States

#589 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 2,670
Male:Female: 78:22
Founded: 1909

49. Dominican University of California

San Rafael

For Physical Therapy

#547 in the United States

#596 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1162
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $49,907

50. University of California - Merced

Merced

For Physical Therapy

#557 in the United States

#607 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 86%
Average Aid: $25,868
Enrollment: 9,103

51. California State University - East Bay

Hayward

For Physical Therapy

#559 in the United States

#609 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $8,659
Enrollment: 13,673

52. California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks

For Physical Therapy

#566 in the United States

#616 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $30,416

53. Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#582 in the United States

#632 in North America

Enrollment: 44
Male:Female: 45:55

54. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield

For Physical Therapy

#591 in the United States

#642 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 90%
Average Aid: $10,750
Enrollment: 9,613

55. Claremont Graduate University

Claremont

For Physical Therapy

#617 in the United States

#668 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 1,903
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1925

56. Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park

For Physical Therapy

#620 in the United States

#671 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Receiving Aid: 81%
Average Aid: $7,287
Enrollment: 6,637

57. Saybrook University

Oakland

For Physical Therapy

#650 in the United States

#702 in North America

Enrollment: 1,013
Male:Female: 16:84
Founded: 1971

58. Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#658 in the United States

#710 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Net Price: $34,933
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $19,422

59. Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles

Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#676 in the United States

#733 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Net Price: $39,401
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,599

60. Marshall B Ketchum University

Fullerton

For Physical Therapy

#685 in the United States

#745 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 685
Male:Female: 28:72
Founded: 1904

61. California Baptist University

Riverside

For Physical Therapy

#693 in the United States

#753 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Net Price: $27,304
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $22,757

62. University of the West

Rosemead

For Physical Therapy

#695 in the United States

#756 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Net Price: $19,028
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $8,190

63. Touro University California

Vallejo

For Physical Therapy

#703 in the United States

#764 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Enrollment: 1,144
Male:Female: 37:63
Founded: 1997

64. West Coast University - Orange County

Anaheim

For Physical Therapy

#727 in the United States

#792 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $27,933
Receiving Aid: 83%
Average Aid: $7,762

Closest to California states to learn Physical Therapy

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Nevada	3	144
Oregon	11	31
Utah	7	25
Arizona	6	45
Idaho	3	190
Washington	14	2
Colorado	16	49
Montana	3	181
Nebraska	6	102
South Dakota	4	235
Kansas	6	81
Texas	48	35
Oklahoma	7	111
North Dakota	3	194
Minnesota	12	11
Iowa	8	27
Missouri	19	21
Arkansas	8	113
Louisiana	11	88
Wisconsin	14	13
Illinois	28	10
Mississippi	5	137
Indiana	14	40
Michigan	17	4
Tennessee	16	59
Alabama	15	22
Kentucky	10	52
Ohio	26	20
Georgia	22	29
West Virginia	5	89
South Carolina	9	37
North Carolina	21	9
Virginia	20	38
Pennsylvania	49	5
Florida	21	8
District of Columbia	6	73
Maryland	11	3
New York	64	18
New Jersey	13	51
Vermont	3	67
Hawaii	3	149
Connecticut	14	17
Massachusetts	36	1
New Hampshire	6	121
Rhode Island	4	39
Maine	5	259
Puerto Rico	4	404