Program Ratings

The total rank & rating assigned to each program as a whole, based solely on its overall score across all sections.

Scroll down to next section for alphabetical listing of programs

For more information on how scores are generated, go to Rating Process

What will this cost me and will it all pay off in the end?

The value of a program depends on a number of factors, but graduates agree that cost is top of the list. Understanding total cost of attendance for a program and potential debt-to-income ratio is vital in making decisions on where to apply and attend. Costs are organized into 2 lists: In-State and Out-of-State. Use the appropriate list based on your permanent residency at the time of attendance. Percentile Score indicates a program is more affordable than (n)% of all programs.

Please Note: Program Cost estimates are calculated by adding tuition and fees for the entirety of the program based on information provided by their institutions. Other expenses such as text books and cost of living are not included and should be assessed by individual applicants. Applicants are strongly encouraged to validated costs directly with schools prior to submitting applications. It is also helpful to be aware of starting salaries for new graduates in your area. Visit our Resources Page for helpful information.

For more information on how scores are generated, go to Rating Process

DPT Program Cost - Rank & Rating (Out -of- State Only)

How does one curriculum compare to another?

This section scores how well a program curriculum develops and prepares students for success in each of the 6 special learning domains. These domains have been identified by current therapists and students as the most important/significant areas that need more attention in DPT programs for success in the field. Those fields are:

1. Utilization of Evidence Informed Practice & Clinical Decision Making

2. Promotion of Patient Centered Care (Communication, Empathy)

3. Understanding of BioPsychoSocial Model (with emphasis on Pain Education)

4. Advanced Training in Exercise Prescription

5. Appropriate Use & Execution of Manual Therapy Techniques and other passive interventions (communication and Evidence based defense)

6. Familiarity with Healthcare Business & Administration procedures

More detailed analysis of how individual programs perform in each domain is available in your custom NuHealth Premium Report

For information on how and why these domains were developed, go to Rating Process

What’s the quality of hands-on learning experiences?

How well a program provides and integrates experiential learning opportunities to develop and practice skills and knowledge in community settings/and or with real individuals from certain populations through a guided hands-on approach. This is important to consider s physical therapy is a very hands-on profession that requires performing an array of technical and personal skills. Factors included in the score are number of clinical affiliations and total weeks of affiliations, simulation lab experiences, community based service learning (ex: training in the campus gym, offering a free clinic, working with a senior center/special needs school/group home)

More detailed analysis of how individual programs perform in this category is available in your custom NuHealth Premium Report

For more information on how scores are generated, go to Rating Process

Do class sizes allow me to have access to faculty for guidance and mentorship?

The quality of the impact faculty have on student experience based on Student:Faculty Ratio

For more information on how scores are generated, go to Rating Process

Will this program help prepare me for a specialty in PT?

How well a program represents and provides instruction across the main specializations within the field. Even if applicants do not plan on specializing, it may be helpful to know what options there are. This score is based off of the number of specialties represented by certified clinical specialists among faculty. While a number of faculty offer extensive expertise through years of clinical experience and research, this particular designation is reserved for the most popular ABPTS/ABPTRFE specialties.

For full statistics including individual specialty ratings as well as student and alumni ratings in this category, order your custom NuHealth Premium Report

For more information on how scores are generated, go to Rating Process

How likely are students to actually finish the program?

The graduation rate is the percentage of students admitted to the professional program who complete the program within 150% of the time normally expected for completion (ex: completing a 3 year program within 4.5 years).

After I graduate, I still have to pass a licensure exam to practice. How well does a program prepare me?

Pass Rate: percentage of students in a graduation class that took the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and passed, no matter how many attempts it took.

Schools that also report 1st time pass rate (percent of a class passing NPTE on the first try) will have a fraction of a point added to PR score if the score is not already a perfect 10/10. This is done to better gauge trends in a program’s effectiveness in NPTE preparation

How employable are graduates of a program?

To the best of the program’s ability to determine, the % of graduates employed within 12 months of passing the licensure exam (of those who sought employment).