46 Physical Therapy colleges in the South with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $56,505.
Top Physical Therapy graduates on this list earn over $76,343—and these schools actually serve the students who need them most. With mobility scores at the 60th percentile or above, these 45 programs deliver both access and results.
George Mason University leads the rankings, producing Physical Therapy graduates earning $76,343 while maintaining a 98th percentile mobility score. The University of Texas at Austin follows at $75,121 with a perfect 100th percentile mobility rating, proving schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes.
George Mason University serves 30% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $76,343. Even better: graduates face just a 7.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Access AND affordability delivered.
Earnings: $76,343 | Mobility: 98th percentile
30% Pell students with $76,343 earnings
5.7% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
12.8% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $92,961 | $13,396 | Excellent | $19,051 | Good | 74th percentile mobility | |
| #2 | $90,232 | $12,500 | Excellent | $19,125 | Excellent | 62th percentile mobility | |
| #3 | $82,206 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,624 | Good | 79th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $80,137 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Manageable | 87th percentile mobility |
| #5 | $78,495 | $19,500 | Excellent | $16,935 | Good | 79th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | $75,121 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | 99th percentile mobility | |
| #7 | $73,827 | $14,000 | Excellent | $13,940 | Excellent | 77th percentile mobility | |
| #8 | University Of DelawarePublic | $72,950 | $24,572 | Excellent | $43,000 | Challenging | 89th percentile mobility |
| #9 | $72,200 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Good | 95th percentile mobility | |
| #10 | Towson UniversityPublic | $64,390 | $18,718 | Excellent | $28,489 | Manageable | 95th percentile mobility |
| #11 | Howard UniversityPrivate | $63,066 | $24,500 | Excellent | $58,682 | High | 75th percentile mobility |
| #12 | $62,177 | $21,500 | Excellent | $31,393 | Challenging | 94th percentile mobility | |
| #13 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $61,675 | $18,000 | Excellent | $17,000 | Manageable | 97th percentile mobility |
| #14 | Salisbury UniversityPublic | $61,515 | $21,000 | Excellent | $33,815 | Manageable | 83th percentile mobility |
| #15 | $59,221 | $22,750 | Good | $48,666 | High | 91th percentile mobility | |
| #16 | Nova Southeastern UniversityPrivate | $59,209 | $24,250 | Excellent | $21,738 | Good | 73th percentile mobility |
| #17 | $58,128 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,585 | Good | 94th percentile mobility | |
| #18 | $57,289 | $21,500 | Excellent | $19,809 | Good | 96th percentile mobility | |
| #19 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $56,906 | $21,000 | Excellent | $22,500 | Manageable | 99th percentile mobility |
| #20 | $55,747 | $21,030 | Excellent | $19,367 | Good | 75th percentile mobility | |
| #21 | Radford UniversityPublic | $53,739 | $24,000 | Excellent | $22,158 | Manageable | 88th percentile mobility |
| #22 | $53,236 | $23,250 | Excellent | $16,000 | Manageable | 95th percentile mobility | |
| #23 | $50,994 | $20,000 | Excellent | $29,387 | Challenging | 89th percentile mobility | |
| #24 | $50,220 | $23,000 | Excellent | $14,877 | Good | 71th percentile mobility | |
| #25 | $49,458 | $21,868 | Excellent | $18,241 | Challenging | 86th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
