Welcome to our deep dive into some of the top physical therapy schools in the United States! Whether you’re a prospective student aiming to join the ranks of highly skilled physical therapists or simply curious about where the leaders of this essential healthcare field are trained, this blog post is tailored for you.
Physical therapy is a dynamic and evolving profession that combines in-depth knowledge of the human body with practical, hands-on skills to improve patient quality of life. The schools we’ll be exploring are renowned not only for their rigorous academic programs but also for their state-of-the-art research facilities, experienced faculty, and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. Learn more about the requirements for each of the best PT schools and what their programs have to offer.
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
Program Information: The program consists of five academic semesters, a summer of coursework, and 36 weeks of full-time clinical work. Boston University features nationally ranked education in state of the art laboratories and centers.
GRE and GPA: The GRE is not required or considered for admission. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of at least 3.0.
International applicants: Must complete the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The minimum TOEFL score is 100 and the minimum IELTS score is 7. International transcripts must be evaluated by a verification agency.
Application requirements: Utilizes the PTCAS application. Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. 3 letters of recommendation, including at least one from an academic instructor or advisor. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions. Applicants must submit the PTCAS general essay and three university specific short answer essays of no more than 1000 characters each. Applicants must have 30 or more hours of health care experience.
Prerequisite courses: Human Anatomy and Physiology. Biology. Chemistry. Physics. Statistics. General or Developmental Psychology. Exercise Physiology. All prerequisites must be completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must be completed before the start of the program.
Interview: The most competitive candidates are invited to complete an asynchronous interview as part of the admissions process.
National PT Examination Pass Rate: Two year average of 79% for first time takers; 97% ultimate pass rate.
Graduation Rate: Two year average of 93%. 2022 had a 95% graduation rate and 2023 had a 92% rate.
Employment Rate: For the last two years, 100% of all BU DPT graduates actively on the job market received employment offers.
Tuition and Fees: One year estimated cost of attendance including living expenses is: $88,792, with $66,670 consisting of tuition.
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Program Information: The program lasts 35 months beginning in June and concluding in May three years later. The first two semesters are spent studying the structures and movement of the human body, along with process skills, before moving into pathophysiology and disease processes with clinical science courses in the third semester. Students must complete 30 weeks of clinical practice in order to graduate. These clinical weeks are spent in rotation across diverse sites and working with diverse populations to give students experience in the variety of ways PTs practice. Clinical rotations occur in Atlanta, greater Georgia, and across the U.S. The final year of the program features work at the Atlanta Emory campus including a research project and advanced coursework geared towards the student’s area(s) of interest. The program has enjoyed a top-10 status historically and is a highly coveted destination for aspiring PTs.
GRE and GPA: GRE scores are optional and are considered as part of the overall application profile. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
International applicants: All international transcripts must be verified and evaluated and submitted directly to the program from the credentialing service. Applicants must take the TOEFL and TSE exams. International applicants must secure a F1 Visa and provide financial verification of ability to pay for the program.
Application requirements: The program utilizes PTCAS for the application process; a supplemental fee of $65 is to be paid in addition to the PTCAS fee. All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The program requires three letters of recommendation: one from a professor who taught you, one from a licensed physical therapist you have worked with, and one reference of your choice from commonly accepted sources (no friends or family). 1000 hours of experience verified by a licensed PT are required for admission, with a strong preference for experience that spans a variety of PT settings. You must complete at least 30 hours in a PT setting for it to count as a unique setting. Admitted students must satisfy technical requirements in order to matriculate.
Prerequisite courses: Human Anatomy with lab. Human Physiology with lab. Statistics. Physics I and II with lab. All prerequisite courses must be completed in the five years before application and taken on a graded basis (with some exceptions for coursework completed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic).
Interview: All applicants advanced to the final stage of consideration must participate in a formal interview process. The program utilizes rolling admissions with two interview dates generally in November and January. Specific dates must be met to be eligible for each interview date.
National PT Examination Pass Rate: The two-year average pass rate for state licensure is 93.7 for first time takers and 99.2% for the ultimate pass rate.
Graduation Rate: The program has had a 100% graduation rate each year since 2020.
Employment Rate: The program has had a 100% employment rate within 6 months of graduation dating back to 2008.
Tuition and Fees: Tuition for 2023-2024 was $14,101 for each Fall and Spring semester and $13,905 for summer semesters.
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Program Information: The Ohio State DPT program is over 60 years old and features state-of-the-art facilities, world class faculty, and a robust support network for students to tap into. A top physical therapy school destination, Ohio State offers a suite of graduate specialties in pediatrics, global health, and research. Faculty has extensive clinical experience and more than a dozen have advanced degrees. The Ohio State program also features the opportunity to train in a combined DPT/PhD track for applicants who want to pursue academic settings over clinical ones.
GRE and GPA: The GRE is not required, but is considered as part of the applicant’s overall admissions portfolio. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required and is calculated using all coursework completed at all undergraduate institutions.
International applicants: International applicants must take the TOEFL with a score of 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 79-80 (internet) or better.
Application requirements: Program uses the PTCAS application system and supplemental application; it requires all applicants to have a bachelor’s degree when applying. Applicants must have at least 40 hours of observation under a licensed PT at the time of application. The program requires three letters of recommendation from the following people: a registered and practicing physical therapist under who you spent the majority of your experience hours; an undergraduate professor or instructor; and an employer, supervisor, or collegiate sports coach. Applicants must complete the general PTCAS essay.
Prerequisite courses: General Biology with lab. General Biology II or an upper division Biology course. General Chemistry I and II with labs. General Physics I and II with labs. Intro Psychology. Human Growth and Development or Lifespan. Human or Vertebrate Anatomy with lab. Human Physiology. Exercise Physiology. Statistics or Research Design.
Interview: The interview sessions consist of multiple interviews with faculty and clinical instructors. In the interviews you will be evaluated on your ability to deliver compassionate and effective patient care. Your motivation for pursuing the PT path, understanding of medical ethics and professional, and problem solving ability will also be evaluated.
National PT Examination Pass Rate: First time pass rate has been between 95-100% with an ultimate pass rate of 100%.
Graduation Rate: The graduation rate in 2020 was 98%. In 2021 it was 100% and in 2022 it was again 98%.
Employment Rate: All graduates report being employed within six months of graduation.
Tuition and Fees: The estimated cost of attendance per year for a resident student is $33,926. For non-resident students it is estimated at $62,364.
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware
Program Information: The program at the University of Delaware is ranked 2nd nationally by USNWR and is a full-time program that spans two and half years of study and clinical experience. It features two full-service outpatient clinics, a unique draw in the crowded field of top PT programs that allows students excellent hands-on experience in the community. University of Delaware has top rated faculty with extensive experience within the American Physical Therapy Association. 60-65 students are enrolled each year with the program beginning in mid-June. The average cumulative GPA for the most recent incoming cohort was 3.78 and 3.67 in science.
GRE and GPA: The GRE is required and scores older than five years will not be accepted. The minimum GPA scores required for admission are 3.0 cumulative and in science courses.
International applicants: All transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services. The TOEFL is required for non-native English speakers who did not complete a degree in the United States. The preferred minimum TOEFL scores are 100 IBT/600 paper with a 26 in reading, a 24 in writing, a 22 in listening, and a 26 in speaking.
Application requirements: Delaware uses the PTCAS application and requires a bachelor’s degree of applicants. 50 physical therapy observation hours are required at minimum with 25 to be completed at the time of application. These hours must be completed with a licensed PT that the applicant works with directly; hours must be verified. Three letters of recommendation are required with two being from licensed PTs you have worked with and one being from an upper division course professor. Applicants must complete a University of Delaware supplemental application once their PTCAS application has been verified.
Prerequisite courses: Intro or General Psychology. Intro or General Statistics. Intro or General Biology with labs. Intro or General Chemistry with labs. Intro or General Physics with labs. Human or Mammalian Anatomy with lab. Human or Mammalian Physiology with lab. Applicants must earn a C or better in all prerequisite courses. No online lab courses will be accepted unless they were taken in 2020 or 2021.
Interview: The program uses rolling admissions over four rounds of application with interview dates happening in September, October, November, and February. Applicants are strongly urged to apply early, as available seats may be limited after rounds 1 and 2.
National PT Examination Pass Rate: All program students have passed the licensing exam.
Graduation Rate: The program has a 96% graduation rate over a ten year average.
Tuition and Fees: The estimated cost of attendance based on 2022-2023 data is $118,683 over the life of the program.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Program Information: The program at the University of Minnesota is one of the oldest and most respected DPT programs in the country. As one of the best PT schools in America, University of Minnesota prides itself on a world class curriculum that adapts to changes in the profession taught by experts in the field. The university has a strong network of over 1500 licensed PTs across the country for students to draw on. With program class sizes of 60, the University of Minnesota balances small class learning with the extensive resources that come with a Big Ten medical campus.
GRE and GPA: GRE is not required. The preferred minimum GPA is 3.0.
International applicants: Non-native English speakers must take the TOEFL exam.
Application requirements: Minnesota does not utilize PTCAS; application fees are $75 domestic and $95 international. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; there is no preferred major. Two letters of recommendation are required with one being from a licensed physical therapist who you completed observation hours with. There are a series of narrative essay prompts students must answer in the course of the application. Admitted applicants must meet technical standards and comply with immunization requirements. 40 hours of observation in clinical physical therapy settings is required with a strong program preference for a variety of experiences.
Prerequisite courses: All prerequisites must be completed with a C or above, with the exception of Medical Terminology which can be taken Pass/Fail. Only two prereqs can be outstanding at the time of admission and only two can come from AP or IB courses. Required courses are: General Biology with lab; a cell-based upper division Biology course; General Chemistry I and II with labs; Human Anatomy with lab; Human Physiology with lab; Physics I and II with labs; Statistics; one semester of Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Trigonometry; General Psychology; Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology; Medical Terminology
Interview: The program does rolling admission from July 1 through March 31st with applications reviewed as they are received. Applicants receive decisions within 6-8 weeks and are urged to apply early.
National PT Examination Pass Rate: The program has a 99.2% pass rate average for 2022 and 2023.
Graduation Rate: The graduation rate for the two year period of 2022 and 2023 was 100%.
Employment Rate: Recent graduates have consistently reported 100% employment in the period right after graduation.
Tuition and Fees: Total in-state tuition, not including fees, is estimated at $82,467. Total out of state tuition, not including fees, is estimated at $94,500.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
*all information is for residential, not hybrid, program
Program Information: A consistently ranked top PT school, the University of Pittsburgh’s residential DPT program runs on a full-time, 7 consecutive term schedule. The program begins in the fall and mixes in-person lectures with on-campus labs. Housed within the Health Sciences program, the PT program is part of a top five NIH funded research institution and draws on a wealth of faculty expertise while contributing to world class research output. Incoming class sizes are limited to sixty seats.
GRE and GPA: The GRE is not required and not part of the application review. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
International applicants: You must have transcripts for all international institutions verified by World Education Services via the PTCAS application. Applicants have to show English proficiency via the Duolingo English Test (minimum score 130), the IELTS (minimum score 7.0), or TOEFL (minimum score 100).
Application requirements: The program uses the PTCAS application system and applications open in June. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into the program. 40 hours of experience in a physical therapy setting is required for admission, with a strong program preference for those hours to be completed across at least two different clinical settings. The PTCAS Personal Statement along with a university specific essay question are required. Three letters of recommendation are required: one should be from an academic instructor who taught either a prereq or major related course; the other two letters can be from a variety of recommenders, although the department recommends choosing writers with different relationships to you.
Prerequisite courses: Chemistry I and II with labs; Physics I and II with labs; Biology I and II with labs; Anatomy; Physiology; Introduction to Psychology; an additional Psychology course; English Writing; and Statistics. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better. Pass/Fail classes will only be accepted for classes taken from Spring 2020 through Spring 2021. You should complete all prerequisites within five years of application.
Interview: Interviews are not required as part of the admissions process.
National PT Examination Pass Rate: The two year average first time pass rate for the program is 88.7%.
Graduation Rate: The graduation rate for the two year period spanning 2021-2023 is 99.1%.
Employment Rate: The two year average (2021-2023) for the program is 100% employment rate.
Tuition and Fees: The flat tuition rate is $101,577 for in-state students; it is $119,525 for out-of-state students.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
*all information is for residential, not hybrid, program
Program Information: The first program to offer a master’s and doctorate in physical therapy, USC is known for strong clinical practice, research, and residency programs earning them an exceptional reputation. With 190 total faculty members, the program has deep expertise and experience among its academic and clinical instructors. USC’s deep faculty roster provides for a robust mentoring program and student-faculty relationship building. The program has access to an extensive network of private hospitals, diagnostic clinics, and outpatient treatment centers.
GRE and GPA: GRE scores are not required for admission. The minimum cumulative and science GPAs for an applicant must be 3.0 or above; competitive applicants tend to have higher GPAs.
International applicants: [International applicant details are not included. Please update the content accordingly.]
Application requirements: USC uses the PTCAS application system. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution completed by matriculation into the DPT program. At least 150 hours of physical therapy experience in a clinical setting is recommended, but not required, for admission to the program. While the admissions committee doesn’t not view paid or volunteer PT work differently, they do tend to value applicants who have experience with a variety of clinical experiences. USC also recognizes that some applicants have experience in physical therapy that comes from supporting others through the experience of receiving clinical treatment. They urge applicants with such experiences to use the narrative portions of the application to write about them and their impact on the applicant’s career plans.
Prerequisite courses: Prereq courses must be taken with a grade of C or better; all courses must be for science or pre-health majors. Students are required to have taken: a General Biology series with labs; A General Chemistry series or General Biochemistry series, both with labs; a General Physics series with labs; Human Anatomy with lab; Human Physiology with lab; two Psychology courses; one college level Statistics course. Applicants are also recommended to take a college level geometry or trigonometry course.
Interview: No formal interviews are a part of the application process. Applicants may be contacted by the program to be asked clarifying questions. Typically, somewhere between 900 and 1100 prospective students apply in a year with an average residential cohort size of 95. Admissions operate on a rolling basis with decisions usually beginning in November and lasting until all applications have been reviewed.
National PT Examination Pass Rate: The first time pass rate for the class of 2022 was 91%, the ultimate pass rate for the class was 99%. In 2023, the first time pass rate was 84% with an ultimate pass rate of 97%
Graduation Rate: On average, the USC DPT program graduates 95% of their students. The two year average for 2021 and 2022 was 97%.
Employment Rate: Over the two year period of 2021 and 2022, 100% of all DPT graduates who were on the job market found PT jobs within one year.
Tuition and Fees: Based on data for the 2023-2024 academic year the flat cost of the first and second years of the program is $81,181 per year. Year three costs an additional $49,047.
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