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To , you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam. That’s why, as with our list of the best pharmacy schools in the US, our list of the best physical therapy schools in the country is organized by the pass rate on the standardized test required for licensure: the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

While you can take the NPTE multiple times, there are limitations on the number of consecutive attempts: The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) allows for a maximum of three consecutive attempts within a 12-month period, and a lifetime maximum of six attempts. What’s more, candidates who receive two very low scores (400 or below) will not be allowed to retake it. So when you consider the best schools for physical therapy, it’s a good idea to see their track record of preparing students to pass on the first go. (You can find the ultimate pass rate, the pass rate of students who took the exam more than once, for every DPT school in the US .)

20 Best Physical Therapy Schools in the US – 2025

Use this list as a starting point to further explore your Doctor of Physical Therapy program options. While we’ve emphasized clinical education in our highlights below, keep in mind that approximately 77% of the DPT curriculum is classroom (didactic) and lab study, so a good next step would be to research key areas of faculty research, or the specifics of curriculum design, at each school. Lastly, keep in mind that you can apply to multiple schools at once through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service!

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 100% for the class of 2024
• Location: Iowa City, IA
• Estimated Annual Tuition (including living expenses): $17,599
• Duration: 2.5 years
• Other degrees offered: MA, Ph.D in Physical Rehabilitation Science
• Average GPA: Approximately 3.70

Established in 1942, the DPT Program at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine’s Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences boasts a 100% graduation and employment rate. Admission is competitive: it admits only about 40 students every July. The program includes 35 weeks of full-time clinical education experience.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 97% for the class of 2023
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $94,000 (including living expenses)
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: DPT/PhD in Biomedical or Mechanical Engineering; DPT/MPH; PhD in Neuroscience with specialization in Movement and Rehabilitation Science
• Average GPA: 3.78

With a 97% graduation rate and 94% employment within 6 months of graduation rate, the DPT program at Northwestern has a lot to be proud of. Uniquely, students receive advising and mentorship in two formalized programs, STRIDE and ROADMAP, and one informal, peer-to-peer mentorship program. Northwestern’s Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences is also a global leader in physical therapy research.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 96.7% for the class of 2024; 100% Ultimate Pass Rate
• Location: Chapel Hill, NC
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $23,000 (in-state); $50,000 (out-of-state)
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Human Movement Science
• Average GPA: Around 3.64; Prerequisite GPA: 3.57

Ranked #10 best physical therapy school in this year’s U.S. News and & World Report, the DPT program at UNC Chapel Hill is known for its interdisciplinary approach and strong student outcomes. The program includes 36 weeks of clinical rotations in three different settings: musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and acute care. The fact that one of these sites must be an underserved facility or area speaks to the program’s commitment to service. The program also benefits from affiliation with approximately 200 clinical education facilities both in and outside of North Carolina.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 96% for the class of 2024; 100% Ultimate Pass Rate
• Location: Columbus, OH
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $24,000 (in-state); $50,000 (out-of-state)
• Duration: 3 years (9 semesters)
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Human Movement Science
• Average GPA: 3.8

Consistently ranked among the top in the nation (#4 in this year’s US News and World Report), the DPT program at Ohio State has graduated over 2,500 alumni since its inception in 1955. Students enjoy a 4:1 to 8:1 student-faculty ratio in laboratory skills courses with nationally recognized faculty. The program emphasizes research and community service; in the culmination of the curriculum, each student presents a publication-quality manuscript about a patient seen during a clinical internship. Both students and faculty provide thousands of hours of volunteer and pro bono service each year to community health centers and under-served populations.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 96% for the class of 2024; 97% Ultimate Pass Rate
• Location: Boston, MA
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $58,000
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: BS/DPT combined program, DPT/PhD in Rehabilitative Sciences
• Average GPA: 3.89

The DPT Program at BU is housed in the Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, a school that has a history of over 125 years. In addition to internationally renowned faculty who work at the University’s public-facing Physical Therapy Center, DPT students have access to the Physical Therapy Lab, a state-of-the-art hands-on classroom that combines didactic and practical education. DPT students at BU can also collaborate with other BU research centers like the Center for Neuroscience and Hearing Research Center, and participate in projects at leading medical institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital or Boston Medical Center.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 94% for the class of 2023; 100% Ultimate Pass Rate
• Duration: 2 years and 3 months (7 terms)
• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Estimated Annual Tuition: $14,800 (in-state); $17,756 (out-of-state) per term
• Other Degrees Offered: DPT/ PhD in Bioengineering
• Average GPA: 3.5 or higher

The DPT program at the University of Pittsburgh, one of the oldest higher education institutions in the country, is one of the most prestigious physical therapy programs. Faculty routinely serve on scientific committees of the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. Students begin clinical work as early as in their second semester, and graduate with 42 weeks of full-time clinical internships.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 94.2% for the class of 2024; 98% Ultimate Pass Rate
• Location: Miami, FL
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $43,002 per year
• Duration: 3 years (9 semesters)
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Physical Therapy
• Average GPA: 3.53

The DPT Program at the University of Miami has a competitive acceptance rate of approximately 18%. Faculty are Board Certified Clinical Specialists with sub-specializations in areas such as Orthopedics, Spine, Pediatrics, Neurology, Geriatrics, Amputee Rehabilitation, Kinesiology and Biomechanics, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury, and Electrophysiology. Students will graduate with 32 weeks of full-time clinical experience.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 92.9% for the class of 2024
• Location: Newark, DE
• Estimated Annual Tuition: $43,301 per year (out-of-state)
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Biomechanics and Movement Science
• Average GPA: 3.84

Ranked #1 best physical therapy school in the nation in 2025 and #1 best graduate school in the nation in 2026 by US News and World Report, the DPT program at the University of Delaware is exceptionally impressive. Unlike similar high-ranking programs, UD has two full-service outpatient Physical Therapy Clinics where students can gain hands-on experience under faculty supervision. Two recent alumni job outcomes include serving on the Philadelphia Eagles’ training staff during their Super Bowl run and working with a Major League Soccer team.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 91.9% for the class of 2024; 98.7% Ultimate Pass Rate
• Location: Gainesville, FL
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $22,721 (in-state); $49,920 (out-of-state)
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science, Audiology, Biostatistics, Clinical and Health Psychology, Epidemiology, and Public Health
• Average GPA: 3.75

DPT students at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions (est. 1958) enjoy a steady 100% graduation and employment rate over the past several years. The program incorporates 32 weeks of full-time clinical internship and several weeks of integrated part-time clinical experiences. Faculty areas of research include Neurophysiology, Imaging, Neuromuscular Disease, Biomechanics, Neural Control of Movement, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Locomotor Training, and more.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 91.7% for the class of 2024; 98.3% Ultimate Pass Rate
• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Estimated Annual Tuition: $37,896
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: DPT/MBA, DPT/MPH, DPT/MA in Bioethics, DPT/PhD in Applied Physiology
• Average GPA: 3.5

Ranked #4 in this year’s US News and World Report, the DPT program at Emory offers students access to several top-notch opportunities for hands-on learning. At the Emory Center for Experiential Learning (ExCEL), students can learn from low-tech task trainers, sophisticated human patient simulators, and virtual reality equipment for surgical techniques. Emory’s Center for Physical Therapy and Movement Science also partners with Emory Healthcare, Emory University School of Medicine, and external organizations such as the Veteran Affairs Medical Center and Georgia Institute of Technology to facilitate research and student learning.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 90% for the class of 2024
• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $26,248 (in-state); $62,498 (out-of-state)
• Duration: Nine semesters
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science
• Average GPA: 3.68

With a 100% employment and 97% graduation rate, the DPT program at UAB has a superb academic reputation. Distinctive features include an early acceptance program for academically superior high school seniors which offers them guaranteed admission to the School of Health Professions after college. While many DPT programs do not allow students to pursue post-professional residencies at their schools, UAB’s School of Health Professions offers residency programs in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Neurologic Physical Therapy.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 90%; year not listed
• Location: Aurora, CO
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $29,292 (in-state); $59,974 (out-of-state)
• Duration: 2.5 years
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science
• Average GPA: Above 3.6

CU Denver’s DPT program has trained physical therapists for over 75 years. Housed in the School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, the program offers students access to state-of-the-art facilities at the Anschutz Medical Campus and UCCS Hybl Center, and over 120 clinical partners such as The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Children’s Hospital and UCHealth. Students have the unique opportunity to gain clinical education experience within their first semester and an optional year-long, paid internship. In addition, the Hybrid DPT Pathway is among the first programs of its kind to provide students with integrated clinical education (ICE) experiences.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 87% average for the class of 2023 and 2024
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Estimated Annual Tuition: $84,023 for Years 1 and 2; $50,763 for Year 3
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Biokinesiology
• Average GPA: 3.63

USC’s Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy is not only the first DPT program in the country but also the first school to offer an MA and PhD in physical therapy. Another distinction of the program is that it requires students to gain clinical experience during all 3 years of their studies. While the program offers both residential and hybrid pathways, it is important to note that according to its website, the Class of 2028 will be the final cohort admitted under the hybrid pathway pedagogical model.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 86.8% for the class of 2024
• Location: St. Louis, MO
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $46,217 per year
• Duration: 2 years 8 months
• Other Degrees Offered: DPT/PhD in Movement Science, PhD
• Average GPA: 3.76

Ranked #1 (tied with the University of Delaware!) best physical therapy school in the US by US News and World Report, the DPT program at WashU Medicine has been continuously accredited since 1942. It offers students 38 weeks of full-time clinical experience at over 400 clinical training sites in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and international cities. Students also have interprofessional learning opportunities to learn from faculty and students in other programs, such as occupational therapy, medicine, pharmacy, audiology, and nursing.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 86% average for the class of 2023 and 2024
• Location: San Francisco, CA
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $33,300–$34,300 (without health insurance); $43,200–$44,200 (with health insurance)
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science
• Average GPA: 3.6

This unique DPT program is a collaborative effort between UCSF, a renowned research university, and SFSU, known for its community involvement and social justice focus. In addition to 34 weeks of full-time clinical rotations, students graduate with training in patient-centered care, ample participation in community outreach, and a commitment to improve access, equity, and quality of treatment and education in the physical therapy profession. Equity initiatives include a student-run pro bono community clinic providing orthopedic and neurologic physical therapy services to uninsured and underinsured people in the San Francisco Bay Area.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 85.8% for the class of 2024
• Location: Omaha, NE
• Estimated Annual Tuition: $37,008 for the first year; total program cost approximately $168,730
• Duration: 3 years (8 semesters)
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences
• Average GPA: 3.9

The DPT Program at Creighton has consistently been ranked in the top 10 best schools for physical therapy by US News and World Report. It boasts a 100% graduation and employment rate for the past two years, and includes 44 weeks of full-time clinical rotations with the university’s 400+ clinical partners. Students participate in community-based health promotion events as early as in the first semester, and enjoy access to state-of-the-art resources such as 3D virtual reality projection, electrical muscle stimulators, and infrared motion capture systems (Qualisys). Creighton DPT students are also assigned a faculty advisor and clinical education advisor upon enrollment.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 85.4% for the class of 2023
• Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Estimated Annual Tuition: $93,300, regardless of residency
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science
• Average GPA: 3.6

The DPT program at the University of Utah is one of the oldest in the region, with a history of educating physical therapists for over 50 years. Alongside high graduation rates (98% average) and high employment rates, the program offers students up to 15 weeks of part-time clinical education in the first year and 42 weeks of full-time clinical education in the final year.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 81% for the class of 2024
• Location: Boston, MA
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $86,000 per year
• Duration: 32 months
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences
• Average GPA: 3.15

MGH IHP is a graduate school affiliate of Mass General Brigham, one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems. The DPT program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has been recognized as the #1 program in New England by U.S. News & World Report. It offers a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and unique opportunities for collaboration with prestigious residency programs like MGH’s Neurologic Residency. The program emphasizes both clinical education and research: every student treats clients at the Sanders IMPACT Practice Center, and over 50% of students engage in research projects every year, with the remaining half immersed in service initiatives for underserved populations.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 80.1% for the class of 2024
• Location: Durham, NC
• Estimated Annual Tuition: $42,000 per year; total program cost approximately $146,691
• Duration: 2 years 10 months
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Physical Therapy
• Average GPA: 3.7

Duke’s DPT program is a top-ranked program due to its rigorous curriculum, emphasis on team-based learning, and commitment to both clinical practice and research. Housed within the renowned School of Medicine, the program is a part of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, a leading center for orthopedic care and research. Duke’s program emphasizes a team-based learning approach, where students work collaboratively in small groups, fostering a sense of community and facilitating deeper learning. Students have opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects, as well as to gain ample clinical experience through its Student Team Experience in Practice (STEPs®) program.

• NPTE First-Time Pass Rate: 80% 2-year average for 2023-24
• Location: Kansas City, KS
• Estimated Annual Tuition: Approximately $26,000 (in-state); $56,000 (out-of-state)
• Duration: 3 years
• Other Degrees Offered: Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science
• Average GPA: above 3.0

KU Medical Center’s DPT program, which has been continuously accredited since 1944, consistently ranks among the top 10 nationally and top 5 among public institutions. The program includes 36 weeks of full-time clinical experiences at one of more than 250 partner sites across the country as well as overseas. Students in the on-campus program engage in live, in-person lectures and labs as well as clinical simulations in the state-of-the-art Health Education Building and Zamierowski Institute for Experiential Learning. The hybrid option shares the same application process, curriculum, clinical experiences, and degree requirements.

Additional Resources

• 2025 Best Colleges for Physical Therapy (Undergrad)
• Combined Physical Therapy Programs
• 50 Best Scholarships for Graduate Students – 2025
• Careers in Rehabilitative Care: OT vs PT vs SLP
• Best Online Medical Assistant Programs – 2025
• 25 Best PsyD & PhD Clinical Psych Programs – 2025