Best Physical Therapy Colleges in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 22 colleges in Pennsylvania that offer a Physical Therapy program and have a reported earnings cohort in the state. Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Physical Therapy graduates four years after completing, highest first.
Only schools with a reported Physical Therapy earnings cohort in Pennsylvania appear. Saint Francis University ranks 1st on this list, and Thomas Jefferson University follows at 2nd.
Because the earnings figures for these programs are not publicly citable, the list is ordered by the same metric but the dollar values are not shown.
Of the 22 listed schools, 7 are public and 15 are private nonprofit, a public share of 32%. Thomas Jefferson University ranks 181st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the best on the page.
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania reports the lowest average net price at $15,699, while Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus posts the highest six-year completion rate at 86%.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Physical Therapy Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Francis University · Loretto, PA | $115,813 | $23,526 | $21,906 | 76.8% |
| Saint Francis University ranks 1st on this list and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 918th among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (45 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (39 graduates), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (35 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Thomas Jefferson University · Philadelphia, PA | $106,225 | $28,928 | $22,537 | 81.0% |
| Thomas Jefferson University admits 81% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 69%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (466 graduates), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (138 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (71 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($106,225), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($99,839), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General ($71,608) | |||||
| 3 | Duquesne University · Pittsburgh, PA | $105,387 | $37,730 | $29,986 | 83.6% |
| Duquesne University carries an average net price of $37,730 and an admission rate of 84%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (257 graduates), Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (62 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($84,802) | |||||
| 4 | Gwynedd Mercy University · Gwynedd Valley, PA | $90,618 | $27,483 | $21,995 | 89.6% |
| Gwynedd Mercy University posts a six-year completion rate of 57% and an admission rate of 90%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (287 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (31 graduates), Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($99,913), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($90,618) | |||||
| 5 | Misericordia University · Dallas, PA | $79,580 | $37,485 | $36,759 | 70.9% |
| Misericordia University ranks 5th on this list and shows an average net price of $36,759 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (108 graduates), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (97 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($88,523), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($79,580) | |||||
| 6 | York College of Pennsylvania · York, PA | $77,358 | $18,556 | $12,927 | 73.7% |
| York College of Pennsylvania reports an average net price of $18,556 and an admission rate of 74%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (145 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($91,052), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($77,358) | |||||
| 7 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania · Bloomsburg, PA | $70,181 | $15,699 | $11,374 | 93.1% |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, a public university in Bloomsburg, lists an average net price of $15,699 and a six-year completion rate of 54%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (181 graduates), Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (87 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (65 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($89,958), Health/Medical Preparatory Programs ($73,383), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($70,181) | |||||
| 8 | Robert Morris University · Moon Township, PA | $69,524 | $23,003 | $19,548 | 89.9% |
| Robert Morris University holds an Azimuth composite rank of 948th among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 90% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (74 graduates), Public Health (16 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($81,212) | |||||
| 9 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania · Millersville, PA | $69,520 | $20,787 | $14,565 | 86.2% |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania reports an average net price of $14,565 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 58%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (152 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($98,216) | |||||
| 10 | Mount Aloysius College · Cresson, PA | $66,959 | $22,344 | $21,530 | 82.1% |
| Mount Aloysius College ranks 10th on this list and carries an average net price of $22,344. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (57 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($87,928) | |||||
| 11 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania · Indiana, PA | $63,397 | $16,804 | $12,364 | 90.8% |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania admits 91% of applicants and reports an average net price of $12,364 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (144 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (27 graduates), Public Health (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($82,343), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($63,397) | |||||
| 12 | Pennsylvania Western University · California, PA | $60,617 | $18,256 | $13,944 | 94.3% |
| Pennsylvania Western University posts a six-year completion rate of 52% and an admission rate of 94%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (273 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (77 graduates), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($82,099), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services ($56,316), Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions ($42,837) | |||||
| 13 | Waynesburg University · Waynesburg, PA | $59,160 | $18,235 | $12,916 | 89.8% |
| Waynesburg University admits 90% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 66%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (65 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,037) | |||||
| 14 | Immaculata University · Immaculata, PA | $58,981 | $24,258 | $20,539 | 85.8% |
| An average net price of $20,539 for families earning under $30,000 is posted by Immaculata University, a private nonprofit institution in Immaculata. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (79 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (20 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($105,749), Health and Medical Administrative Services ($70,100) | |||||
| 15 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania · East Stroudsburg, PA | $58,113 | $18,134 | $15,365 | 92.1% |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania ranks 472nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and graduates 43% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (54 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (35 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($97,321), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services ($60,249), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($58,113) | |||||
| 16 | Carlow University · Pittsburgh, PA | No published median | $20,786 | $17,901 | 87.0% |
| Carlow University reports an average net price of $20,786 and an admission rate of 87%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (129 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (17 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($86,258) | |||||
| 17 | Messiah University · Mechanicsburg, PA | $56,005 | $26,502 | $19,393 | 79.0% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 75%, Messiah University ranks 17th on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (36 graduates), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (31 graduates), Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,824), Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General ($54,256) | |||||
| 18 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, PA | $54,488 | $32,875 | $19,845 | 60.6% |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reports a six-year completion rate of 86% and ranks 271st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (138 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (119 graduates), Health and Medical Administrative Services (107 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($91,032), Health and Medical Administrative Services ($75,396), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services ($62,072) | |||||
| 19 | King's College · Wilkes-Barre, PA | $52,695 | $23,093 | $17,283 | 93.1% |
| King's College posts an average net price of $17,283 for families earning under $30,000 and admits 93% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (73 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (6 graduates), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (6 graduates) | |||||
| 20 | La Roche University · Pittsburgh, PA | $44,021 | $20,794 | $16,152 | 75.8% |
| La Roche University ranks 1414th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 57%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (20 graduates), Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (17 graduates), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (12 graduates) | |||||
| 21 | Gannon University · Erie, PA | $43,798 | $22,553 | $18,489 | 74.2% |
| Gannon University admits 74% of applicants and reports an average net price of $22,553. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (126 graduates), Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (64 graduates), Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($80,846) | |||||
| 22 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania · West Chester, PA | $36,848 | $23,331 | $17,018 | 78.4% |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates 71% of its students within six years and ranks 404th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (204 graduates), Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (91 graduates), Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (69 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Physical Therapy graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Physical Therapy earnings cohort in Pennsylvania appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The list includes 7 public and 15 private nonprofit institutions.
Job market context in Pennsylvania
Physical Therapy graduates in Pennsylvania enter occupations such as Nursing Assistants, Registered Nurses, and Medical Assistants. The median annual wage across those occupations is $66,682, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $54,927. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 5.2% higher, with 63,280 projected openings a year, or about 529 openings a year for every hundred graduates, suggesting more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. These market figures describe the occupations linked to the field, not the earnings of any particular program; the ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing.
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- Health Professions Colleges in Pennsylvania for Social Mobility
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