100 Best Physical Therapy schools in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Physical Therapy. A graph of 34.2M citations received by 892K academic papers made by 776 universities in the United States 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. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Physical Therapy

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

2. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Physical Therapy

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

3. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Physical Therapy

#4 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

4. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Physical Therapy

#5 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Physical Therapy

#6 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

6. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Physical Therapy

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

7. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Physical Therapy

#10 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,126
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

8. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Physical Therapy

#12 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Physical Therapy

#13 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

10. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Physical Therapy

#14 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

11. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Physical Therapy

#15 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

12. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Physical Therapy

#16 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $11,577
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $1,900

13. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#17 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

14. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Physical Therapy

#18 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

15. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Physical Therapy

#20 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

16. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Physical Therapy

#22 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

17. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Physical Therapy

#23 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

18. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Physical Therapy

#24 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

19. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#26 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

20. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Physical Therapy

#27 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

21. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Physical Therapy

#28 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

22. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Physical Therapy

#29 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 97%

23. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Physical Therapy

#30 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

24. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Physical Therapy

#31 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

25. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Physical Therapy

#33 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

26. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Physical Therapy

#34 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

27. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Physical Therapy

#35 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

28. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Physical Therapy

#36 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

29. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Physical Therapy

#37 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

30. Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon | Portland

For Physical Therapy

#38 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,877
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1887

31. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Physical Therapy

#39 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,667
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

32. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Physical Therapy

#40 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,986

33. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Physical Therapy

#43 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

34. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Physical Therapy

#44 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,699
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1900

35. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Physical Therapy

#45 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

36. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Physical Therapy

#46 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $41,028

37. Wake Forest University

North Carolina | Winston-Salem

For Physical Therapy

#47 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,790

38. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Physical Therapy

#48 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

39. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Physical Therapy

#49 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

40. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Physical Therapy

#50 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

41. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Texas | Dallas

For Physical Therapy

#51 in North America

#78 in the World

Enrollment: 2,501
Male:Female: 44:56
Founded: 1943

42. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Physical Therapy

#52 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $33,333

43. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Physical Therapy

#53 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,608

44. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Physical Therapy

#54 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

45. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Physical Therapy

#55 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

46. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Physical Therapy

#57 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

47. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Physical Therapy

#59 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

48. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Physical Therapy

#60 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

49. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Physical Therapy

#61 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

50. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Physical Therapy

#62 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

51. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Colorado | Denver

For Physical Therapy

#63 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1100
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 90%

52. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Physical Therapy

#64 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

53. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Physical Therapy

#65 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

54. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Physical Therapy

#66 in North America

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

55. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Physical Therapy

#68 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

56. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Physical Therapy

#69 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

57. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York State | New York City

For Physical Therapy

#70 in North America

#127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,234
Male:Female: 39:61
Founded: 1963

58. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Physical Therapy

#71 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 92%

59. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Physical Therapy

#72 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

60. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Physical Therapy

#73 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

61. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Physical Therapy

#74 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

62. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Physical Therapy

#75 in North America

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

63. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Physical Therapy

#76 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

64. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Physical Therapy

#77 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,900

65. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Physical Therapy

#78 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

66. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Physical Therapy

#79 in North America

#145 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,519

67. University of Vermont

Vermont | Burlington

For Physical Therapy

#80 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 100%

68. Medical College of Wisconsin

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Physical Therapy

#81 in North America

#148 in the World

Enrollment: 1,661
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1893

69. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Physical Therapy

#82 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

70. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Physical Therapy

#84 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

71. Thomas Jefferson University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Physical Therapy

#85 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $29,097

72. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Physical Therapy

#86 in North America

#161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

73. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Physical Therapy

#87 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 66%

74. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Physical Therapy

#88 in North America

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 100%

75. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Physical Therapy

#89 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $37,967

76. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Physical Therapy

#90 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

77. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Physical Therapy

#91 in North America

#178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $5,459
Enrollment: 39,241

78. University of Louisville

Kentucky | Louisville

For Physical Therapy

#92 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

79. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Physical Therapy

#93 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

80. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas | Houston

For Physical Therapy

#95 in North America

#196 in the World

Enrollment: 355
Male:Female: 21:79
Founded: 1941

81. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Texas | San Antonio

For Physical Therapy

#96 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 3,640
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1959

82. Medical University of South Carolina

South Carolina | Charleston

For Physical Therapy

#97 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Enrollment: 3,117
Male:Female: 28:72
Founded: 1824

83. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Texas | Houston

For Physical Therapy

#98 in North America

#202 in the World

Enrollment: 5,048
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1972

84. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Physical Therapy

#99 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $11,891
Enrollment: 30,205

85. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Physical Therapy

#100 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

86. University of Texas Medical Branch

Texas | Galveston

For Physical Therapy

#101 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 3,315
Male:Female: 29:71
Founded: 1891

87. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Physical Therapy

#102 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

88. Drexel University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Physical Therapy

#103 in North America

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,342

89. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Physical Therapy

#104 in North America

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $45,466

90. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Physical Therapy

#105 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

91. East Carolina University

North Carolina | Greenville

For Physical Therapy

#107 in North America

#229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 79%

92. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Physical Therapy

#108 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 73%

93. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Physical Therapy

#109 in North America

#232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

94. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Physical Therapy

#110 in North America

#233 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

95. University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester

Massachusetts | Worcester

For Physical Therapy

#111 in North America

#240 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,394
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1962

96. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Physical Therapy

#112 in North America

#242 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

97. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Physical Therapy

#113 in North America

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

98. Saint Louis University

Missouri | St. Louis

For Physical Therapy

#114 in North America

#267 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $30,911

99. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Physical Therapy

#115 in North America

#268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

100. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Physical Therapy

#116 in North America

#272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 86%

The best cities to study Physical Therapy in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, Seattle, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh.