Why This Matters
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47% OF PHYSICAL THERAPIST JOBS REQUIRE A DOCTORATE
According to a study conducted by O*NET, almost half of physical therapist jobs require a doctoral degree, and another 38% require a master’s.
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37,300 MORE PHYSICAL THERAPISTS ARE NEEDED BY 2032
Demand for physical therapists is projected to grow 15% over the next decade. This significantly outpaces the expected growth of most other occupations.
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POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $120,000
The average salary for physical therapists is $97,720, with the top 10% of workers in this field making more than $128,830.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online doctorate in physical therapy degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education. Many of the programs on our list have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of physical therapy programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online doctorate in physical therapy degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Physical Therapy degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 55 hours to write this article
- 54 universities and colleges we assessed
- 80 education programs we compared
The Top 13 Online Doctorate in Physical Therapy Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Intelligent Score: 99.59In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: $60,679
Out-of-state: $60,679
SAT: 122 - 131
ACT: N/A
$192
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
64
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Intelligent Score: 99.33In-state: $8,683
Out-of-state: $20,953
In-state: $6,788
Out-of-state: $6,788
SAT: 1070-1240
ACT: 22-27
$724
Online, On-Campus
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
48-70
Northeastern University
Intelligent Score: 99.07In-state: $54,360
Out-of-state: $54,360
In-state: $25,264
Out-of-state: $25,264
SAT: 1410-1540
ACT: 33-35
$1,752
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
33
Utica College
Intelligent Score: 98.31In-state: $21,560
Out-of-state: $21,560
In-state: $21,480
Out-of-state: $21,480
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$785
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
19
Shenandoah University
Intelligent Score: 95.11In-state: $32,510
Out-of-state: $32,510
In-state: $21,720
Out-of-state: $21,720
SAT: 1010-1230
ACT: 19-26
$968
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
16-20
University of Southern California
Intelligent Score: 93.89In-state: $59,260
Out-of-state: $59,260
In-state: $47,880
Out-of-state: $47,880
SAT: 1340-1530
ACT: 30-34
$973
Online, On-Campus
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
115
The College of Saint Scholastica
Intelligent Score: 92.19In-state: $38,750
Out-of-state: $38,750
In-state: $14,182
Out-of-state: $14,182
SAT: N/A
ACT: 22-27
$775
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
16
UNC School of Medicine
Intelligent Score: 91.77In-state: $7,019
Out-of-state: $34,198
In-state: $10,552
Out-of-state: $10,552
SAT: 1280-1490
ACT: 28-33
In-State: $925
Out-of-State: $1,794
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
27
University of Michigan-Flint
Intelligent Score: 91.36In-state: $16,520
Out-of-state: $53,669
In-state: $24,344
Out-of-state: $24,344
SAT: 1340-1520
ACT: 31-34
In-State: $794
Out-of-State: $1,187
Online
Higher Learning Commission
24
Winston-Salem State University
Intelligent Score: 91.3In-state: $20,406
Out-of-state: $31,062
In-state: $20,877
Out-of-state: $20,877
SAT: 880-1040
ACT: 15-19
In-State: $189
Out-of-State: $706
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
24
Arcadia University
Intelligent Score: 90.38In-state: $44,620
Out-of-state: $44,620
In-state: $27,894
Out-of-state: $27,894
SAT: 1030-1230
ACT: 20-28
$815
Online, On-Campus
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
22
Florida Gulf Coast University
Intelligent Score: 89.74In-state: $4,191
Out-of-state: $22,328
In-state: $6,974
Out-of-state: $6,974
SAT: 1060-1210
ACT: 21-25
$532
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
30
Alabama State University
Intelligent Score: 88.72In-state: $8,328
Out-of-state: $16,656
In-state: $7,416
Out-of-state: $7,416
SAT: 844-1049
ACT: 14-20
In-State: $412
Out-of-State: $824
Online
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
31
What You Should Know About This Degree
Physical therapists and occupational therapists have similar roles in that they both help those with injuries, illnesses, or chronic conditions. However, occupational therapists differ in that they incorporate therapeutic use of everyday activities to optimize clients’ quality of life. This career also requires only a master’s degree versus a doctorate for physical therapy.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
To become a licensed physical therapist, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. The NPTE is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, which provides tips on preparing for the exam, scheduling the test, and what to do if you don’t pass.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in physical therapy programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Qualifications for enrolling in a doctorate program in physical therapy vary by school. In some cases, you may need to have a master’s degree in a related field with minimum GPA requirements or have a certain number of physical therapy volunteer hours. Contact your school’s admissions department to find out more about program-specific requirements.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? If you’re enrolled in an online degree program, there are two possible course formats. If the course is synchronous, there are scheduled class sessions that you attend remotely. If it’s asynchronous, the work is self-paced with no designated meeting times. Find a program that fits your schedule and learning preferences.
- What financial aid opportunities are available? With the help of grants, fellowships, and other resources, you may even be able to earn your doctorate for free.
As you’re taking steps to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy, it’s important to consider factors that affect the time and financial commitment of earning your degree. In some cases, as few as 24 credits are required to earn a degree, while other programs require over 100 credits to graduate. The cost per credit hour also varies, with fees as low as $186 and as high as $2,300. To explore your financial aid options, begin by filling out the FAFSA.
It’s also necessary to pay attention to application, course selection, and financial aid deadlines. Forgetting to note these dates, which may vary from school to school, can delay your ability to earn your degree.