Best institutions to study Physical Therapy/Therapist
A program that prepares individuals to evaluate, examine, diagnose, and alleviate physical functional impairments and limitations caused by injury or disease through the design and implementation of therapeutic interventions to promote fitness and health.
277 U.S. institutions graduated 13,795 Physical Therapy/Therapist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2308, a specialization of Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23), and leads most directly to the Physical Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1123).
About Physical Therapy/Therapist programs
A program that prepares individuals to evaluate, examine, diagnose, and alleviate physical functional impairments and limitations caused by injury or disease through the design and implementation of therapeutic interventions to promote fitness and health. Includes instruction in anatomy, behavioral sciences, biology, biomechanics, biophysical agents, care plan development and documentation, cellular histology, clinical evaluation and measurement, clinical reasoning, communication, exercise physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, physiology, professional standards and ethics, rehabilitation psychology, and therapeutic exercise.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Physical Therapy/Therapist program, part of the Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field, prepares individuals to evaluate and treat physical functional impairments caused by injury or disease. This program is designed for those interested in helping patients regain mobility and improve their quality of life through therapeutic interventions.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in areas such as anatomy, biomechanics, clinical evaluation, and therapeutic exercise. Coursework emphasizes critical skills like communication, clinical reasoning, and patient care planning, equipping graduates to effectively support their patients' rehabilitation journeys.
Credentials awarded
What Physical Therapy/Therapist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - professional practice12,223 graduates / yr · 245 institutions89%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship873 graduates / yr · 25 institutions6.3%
- Doctor's degree - other413 graduates / yr · 12 institutions3.0%
- Bachelor's degree153 graduates / yr · 9 institutions1.1%
- Post-master's certificate46 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.3%
- Associate's degree34 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.2%
- Master's degree32 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate21 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.2%
Graduates over time
Physical Therapy/Therapist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 10,204 |
| 2013 | 10,632 |
| 2014 | 11,004 |
| 2015 | 11,594 |
| 2016 | 11,884 |
| 2017 | 12,327 |
| 2018 | 12,389 |
| 2019 | 12,865 |
| 2020 | 13,135 |
| 2021 | 13,653 |
| 2022 | 13,773 |
| 2023 | 13,762 |
| 2024 | 13,422 |
| 2025 | 13,795 |
Top 50 institutions for Physical Therapy/Therapist, 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 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences San Marcos, CAPrivate for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Doctoral | 797 | — | — | — |
| 2 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 301 | 48% | — | — |
| 3 | Arcadia University Glenside, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 287 | 67% | $23,796 | — |
| 4 | South College Knoxville, TNPrivate for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 265 | 42% | $20,346 | — |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 156 | 85% | — | $39,836 |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 133 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 7 | The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 131 | 71% | $21,150 | — |
| 8 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 126 | 80% | $35,682 | — |
| 9 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 114 | — | — | — |
| 10 | Creighton University Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 109 | 83% | $27,353 | — |
| 11 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Bachelor's | 109 | 76% | $28,970 | $7,071 |
| 12 | Franklin Pierce University Rindge, NHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 105 | 54% | $26,344 | — |
| 13 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.)DoctoralPost-degree cert. | 102 | 49% | — | $38,339 |
| 14 | Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Provo, UTPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 101 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 98 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 98 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 17 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 96 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 18 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 93 | 61% | — | — |
| 19 | Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 93 | 35% | $30,299 | — |
| 20 | Hanover College Hanover, INPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 92 | 67% | $20,442 | — |
| 21 | Regis University Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 90 | 61% | $22,407 | — |
| 22 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 84 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 23 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 83 | 64% | — | $67,054 |
| 24 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Doctoral | 82 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 25 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master'sBachelor's | 82 | 77% | $32,060 | — |
| 26 | Touro University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralDoctoral (prof.)Post-degree cert. | 78 | 72% | $27,110 | — |
| 27 | Springfield College Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Bachelor's | 77 | 74% | $26,290 | — |
| 28 | A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Doctoral | 77 | — | — | — |
| 29 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 77 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 30 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 76 | 82% | $42,965 | — |
| 31 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)DoctoralDoctoral | 76 | — | — | — |
| 32 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 72 | 46% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 72 | 91% | — | — |
| 34 | Bellarmine University Louisville, KYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Bachelor's | 72 | 64% | $22,542 | — |
| 35 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 71 | — | — | — |
| 36 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 70 | 76% | — | — |
| 37 | Gannon University Erie, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 69 | 66% | $21,409 | — |
| 38 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublicDoctoral | 69 | — | — | — |
| 39 | Carroll University Waukesha, WIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 69 | 71% | $22,601 | — |
| 40 | Augustana University Sioux Falls, SDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 68 | 73% | $23,011 | — |
| 41 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 67 | 67% | $27,455 | — |
| 42 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Doctoral | 66 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 43 | MGH Institute of Health Professions Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 66 | — | — | — |
| 44 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 66 | — | — | — |
| 45 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 66 | 83% | $25,376 | — |
| 46 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicDoctoral | 65 | 84% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 64 | 71% | — | — |
| 48 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 64 | 89% | $21,956 | $36,705 |
| 49 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 64 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 50 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 64 | — | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field (CIP 51.23) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 50 states & territories
Where Physical Therapy/Therapist graduates come from. Each state links to all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1123, Physical Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physical Therapy/Therapist program primarily become Physical Therapists, with a strong job outlook. The field is expected to grow by 10.9%, with approximately 13,200 annual job openings. The median wage for Physical Therapists is $101,020, and a Doctoral or professional degree is typically required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2308
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 Therapistsprimary SOC 29-1123 | $102,760 | +10.9% Much faster than average | ~13,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Physical Therapy/Therapist 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
- Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
Tools and technology used
Other Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23).
- Occupational Therapy/CIP 51.2306
Therapist 9,796 graduates / yr250 institutions - Rehabilitation ScienceCIP 51.23141,023 graduates / yr47 institutions
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/CIP 51.2310
Counselor 935 graduates / yr58 institutions - Art Therapy/CIP 51.2301
Therapist 675 graduates / yr62 institutions - Therapeutic Recreation/CIP 51.2309
Recreational Therapy 640 graduates / yr49 institutions - Music Therapy/CIP 51.2305
Therapist 635 graduates / yr70 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2399582 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Orthotist/CIP 51.2307
Prosthetist 302 graduates / yr17 institutions - Animal-Assisted TherapyCIP 51.2313108 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Kinesiotherapy/CIP 51.2311
Kinesiotherapist partial data96 graduates / yr6 institutions - Play Therapy/CIP 51.2317
Therapist partial data93 graduates / yr6 institutions - Assistive/CIP 51.2312
Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering partial data52 graduates / yr8 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2300partial data51 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Dance Therapy/CIP 51.2302
Therapist partial data39 graduates / yr5 institutions - Horticulture Therapy/CIP 51.2316
Therapist limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Drama Therapy/
Therapist51.2315
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need to become a Physical Therapist?+
You typically need a Doctor's degree in Physical Therapy.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and patient care.
What is the job outlook for Physical Therapists?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 10.9%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 277 colleges offering the Physical Therapy/Therapist program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Physical Therapy/Therapist?+
Physical Therapy/Therapist is CIP 51.2308 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to evaluate, examine, diagnose, and alleviate physical functional impairments and limitations caused by injury or disease through the design and implementation of therapeutic interventions to promote fitness and health. Includes instruction in anatomy, behavioral sciences, biology, biomechanics, biophysical agents, care plan development and documentation, cellular histology, clinical evaluation and measurement, clinical reasoning, communication, exercise physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, physiology, professional standards and ethics, rehabilitation psychology, and therapeutic exercise.
How many institutions offer Physical Therapy/Therapist programs?+
277 U.S. institutions reported Physical Therapy/Therapist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states & territories, awarding 13,795 credentials in the year. That is 47.8% of all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduates.
How much do Physical Therapy/Therapist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physical Therapists occupation, which Physical Therapy/Therapist most directly leads to, pays a median of $102,760 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field report median earnings of $37,554 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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