Best institutions to study Physical Therapy Assistant
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of a physical therapist, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, and observe and record patient progress.
360 U.S. institutions graduated 5,489 Physical Therapy Assistant students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0806, a specialization of Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08), and leads most directly to the Physical Therapist Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 31-2021).
About Physical Therapy Assistant programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of a physical therapist, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, and observe and record patient progress. Includes instruction in applied anatomy and physiology, behavioral sciences, biomechanics, clinical documentation, clinical pathology, communication, exercise physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Physical Therapy Assistant program prepares individuals to work under the supervision of a physical therapist, implementing treatment care plans and assisting patients in their recovery. This program is ideal for those interested in health professions and seeking a hands-on role in patient care within the allied health field.
Students in this program gain knowledge in applied anatomy, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and clinical documentation. Core skills developed include active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, all essential for providing quality patient care.
Credentials awarded
What Physical Therapy Assistant graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree5,137 graduates / yr · 349 institutions94%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years201 graduates / yr · 7 institutions3.7%
- Bachelor's degree78 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year73 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.3%
Graduates over time
Physical Therapy Assistant completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,411 |
| 2013 | 6,744 |
| 2014 | 7,061 |
| 2015 | 7,438 |
| 2016 | 7,669 |
| 2017 | 7,487 |
| 2018 | 7,505 |
| 2019 | 7,653 |
| 2020 | 5,938 |
| 2021 | 7,419 |
| 2022 | 6,499 |
| 2023 | 5,993 |
| 2024 | 5,633 |
| 2025 | 5,489 |
Top 50 institutions for Physical Therapy Assistant, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pima Medical Institute - Tucson Tucson, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 78 | 72% | — | $31,915 |
| 2 | Institute of Technology Clovis, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 65 | 73% | $24,518 | $27,458 |
| 3 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 62 | 61% | $35,483 | $30,406 |
| 4 | CBD College Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 58 | 82% | $20,729 | $52,829 |
| 5 | Universal Healthcare Careers College Los Angeles, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 56 | 91% | $33,518 | $21,444 |
| 6 | Stanbridge University Irvine, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 49 | 62% | $25,244 | $50,198 |
| 7 | The College of Health Care Professions - McAllen Campus McAllen, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 49 | 77% | $26,617 | $26,556 |
| 8 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAssociate's | 45 | 17% | — | $17,369 |
| 9 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAssociate's | 44 | 17% | — | $35,469 |
| 10 | American Career College - Anaheim Anaheim, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 44 | 70% | $28,590 | $28,853 |
| 11 | GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZPublicAssociate's | 40 | 29% | — | $50,605 |
| 12 | American Career College - Ontario Ontario, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 39 | 66% | $31,076 | $25,702 |
| 13 | Baker College Owosso, MIPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 38 | 36% | $15,493 | $36,955 |
| 14 | Lake Superior College Duluth, MNPublicAssociate's | 38 | 42% | — | $33,245 |
| 15 | Pima Medical Institute - Albuquerque Albuquerque, NMPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 37 | 68% | $19,789 | $29,432 |
| 16 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate's | 37 | 40% | — | $32,398 |
| 17 | Greenville Technical College Greenville, SCPublicAssociate's | 36 | 21% | — | $43,962 |
| 18 | Fox College Tinley Park, ILPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 34 | 71% | $14,407 | $42,418 |
| 19 | Atenas University Manati, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 34 | 42% | $8,957 | — |
| 20 | South College Knoxville, TNPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 33 | 42% | $20,346 | $39,733 |
| 21 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 33 | 40% | — | — |
| 22 | Pima Medical Institute - Mesa Mesa, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 33 | 67% | $21,660 | $31,915 |
| 23 | The College of Health Care Professions - San Antonio San Antonio, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 33 | 64% | $27,852 | $26,556 |
| 24 | Herzing University - Orlando Winter Park, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 32 | 37% | $20,697 | $34,039 |
| 25 | SABER College Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 31 | 61% | $11,148 | $34,751 |
| 26 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAssociate's | 29 | 39% | — | — |
| 27 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAssociate's | 29 | 35% | — | $33,188 |
| 28 | Central Penn College Summerdale, PAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 29 | 51% | $19,136 | $36,018 |
| 29 | American College of Healthcare and Technology Riverside, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 65% | $16,950 | $21,250 |
| 30 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate's | 28 | 46% | — | $34,527 |
| 31 | Arapahoe Community College Littleton, COPublicAssociate's | 27 | 29% | — | $42,853 |
| 32 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAssociate's | 27 | 33% | — | — |
| 33 | Whatcom Community College Bellingham, WAPublicAssociate's | 27 | 36% | — | $44,573 |
| 34 | Pima Medical Institute - San Marcos San Marcos, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 27 | 71% | $31,880 | $31,915 |
| 35 | Concorde Career College - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 26 | 76% | $25,970 | $30,842 |
| 36 | Delgado Community College New Orleans, LAPublicAssociate's | 26 | 24% | — | $45,773 |
| 37 | Carl Albert State College Poteau, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 43% | — | $38,303 |
| 38 | Pima Medical Institute - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 26 | 57% | $23,982 | $31,915 |
| 39 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAssociate's | 25 | 31% | — | — |
| 40 | Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FLPublicAssociate's | 25 | 41% | — | $36,389 |
| 41 | Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KSPublicAssociate's | 25 | 53% | — | $48,347 |
| 42 | Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton, MOPublicAssociate's | 25 | 21% | — | $32,094 |
| 43 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAssociate's | 25 | 21% | — | $33,233 |
| 44 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAssociate's | 25 | 29% | — | $34,862 |
| 45 | Unitek College Fremont, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 25 | 73% | $27,021 | $32,827 |
| 46 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicAssociate's | 24 | 55% | — | $41,060 |
| 47 | Clarkson College Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 24 | 47% | $17,156 | $41,699 |
| 48 | Stark State College North Canton, OHPublicAssociate's | 24 | 23% | — | $28,616 |
| 49 | Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OKPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 27% | — | $29,838 |
| 50 | Lane Community College Eugene, ORPublicAssociate's | 24 | 20% | — | $42,142 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field (CIP 51.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 49 states & territories
Where Physical Therapy Assistant graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-2021, Physical Therapist Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physical Therapy Assistant program typically earn an Associate's degree and can pursue careers as Physical Therapist Assistants. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 22% and approximately 19,800 annual openings, offering a median wage of $65,510.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0806
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Physical Therapist Assistantsprimary SOC 31-2021 | $68,380 | +22.0% Much faster than average | ~19,800 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Physical Therapy Assistant programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
- Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
Tools and technology used
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08).
- Medical/CIP 51.0801
Clinical Assistant 55,276 graduates / yr1,057 institutions - Pharmacy Technician/CIP 51.0805
Assistant 8,060 graduates / yr353 institutions - Allied Health and Medical Assisting ServicesCIP 51.08994,386 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)CIP 51.08104,277 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Occupational Therapist AssistantCIP 51.08033,204 graduates / yr213 institutions
- Radiologist AssistantCIP 51.0814partial data1,676 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.0802
Medical Laboratory Assistant 663 graduates / yr34 institutions - Anesthesiologist AssistantCIP 51.0809497 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Speech-Language Pathology AssistantCIP 51.0816304 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Respiratory Therapy Technician/CIP 51.0812
Assistant 258 graduates / yr19 institutions - Pathology/CIP 51.0811
Pathologist Assistant 178 graduates / yr13 institutions - Lactation ConsultantCIP 51.0815partial data47 graduates / yr4 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Chiropractic Technician/
Assistant51.0813
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs →
Common questions
What is the typical education required?+
Most positions require an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 22%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are approximately 360 colleges offering the Physical Therapy Assistant program.
What is the CIP code for Physical Therapy Assistant?+
Physical Therapy Assistant is CIP 51.0806 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of a physical therapist, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, and observe and record patient progress. Includes instruction in applied anatomy and physiology, behavioral sciences, biomechanics, clinical documentation, clinical pathology, communication, exercise physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Physical Therapy Assistant programs?+
360 U.S. institutions reported Physical Therapy Assistant graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 49 states & territories, awarding 5,489 credentials in the year. That is 6.5% of all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates.
How much do Physical Therapy Assistant graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physical Therapist Assistants occupation, which Physical Therapy Assistant most directly leads to, pays a median of $68,380 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field report median earnings of $37,465 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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