Building a professional network: From transactional networking to clinical relationship development
I recently spoke to a group of college sophomores and juniors who were trying to figure out their plans for application to physical therapy programs. We discussed things that mattered to them in selecting programs to apply to. We also discussed the level of competition that exists now in the application process and acceptance into the top physical therapy schools.
The students asked questions about how to choose a PT school, what factors make a physical therapy school unique, and what are the top physical therapy schools in the United States (especially California).
Inspired by these conversations, I began researching the physical therapy programs available today. From this research, I learned a great deal about the top physical therapy schools in the United States (and specifically in California, which the students were most interested in).
What are the top physical therapy schools in the U.S.?
First, I needed to find good PT schools that were accredited in the United States. According to CAPTE, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 297 physical therapy programs in the United States are either accredited or candidates for accreditation by CAPTE. All CAPTE-accredited physical therapy programs prepare a student to graduate, pass the National Physical Therapy Board Exam (NPTE), and earn a license to practice physical therapy.
Comparing multiple sources, I looked at the top physical therapy schools at the doctoral level (DPT) in the United States today.
In 2026, the following accredited PT (physical therapy) schools were ranked as the top 10 physical therapy programs in the United States:
1. University of Delaware (Newark, DE)
2. University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
3. Washington University (St. Louis, MO)
4. The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
5. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
6. Duke University (Durham, NC)
7. Northwestern University (Chicago, IL)
8. Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
9. University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
10. University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC)
What are the best physical therapy schools in California?
Continuing my research of the top physical therapy schools, I delved deeper into the best accredited physical therapy schools in California, as these students were interested in the West Coast.
These are the best physical therapy schools in California: 1. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
2. University of California/San Francisco State University (San Francisco, CA)
3. California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, CA)4. Loma Linda University (Loma Linda, CA)
5. Samuel Merritt University (Oakland, CA)
6. Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA)
7. Chapman University (Orange, CA)
As students are trying to identify the best physical therapy schools to apply to, they must first understand how to actually compare PT programs. Even among the top physical therapy schools, each program has its own specific attributes including how they approach and prepare students for the field that make the program unique.
How should you compare physical therapy schools and programs?
Digging in, I asked how students could compare PT schools and programs. There are so many factors that set schools apart, but looking at various resources, I gathered this list that students can use to compare physical therapy programs to find the top physical therapy schools for them:
School accreditation
School ranking
Reputation
Curriculum
Specializations/concentration of the program
Adjacent hospitals/research opportunities
Faculty
Alumni network
Furthermore, as students are looking into options for physical therapy schools that they are applying to, they must also gather their own personal criteria for schools. Every single student applying to physical therapy school has their own unique parameters for schools they are interested in.
What personal criteria matter when choosing a PT program?
From personal priorities and dream locations to family alma maters and long-term career goals, choosing the best physical therapy program is a deeply individualized decision. Applicants often weigh factors such as:
1. Geographical location of the program
2. Areas of specialization unique to the school
3. Tuition/financial aid availability
4. Academic requirements and prerequisites
5. Research opportunities at the school
6. Class size for the program
7. Clinical rotation opportunities
8. Post-graduate job opportunities
9. Community relationships in the school location
10. Career support after graduation
11. Program length
12. Other programs available at the specific university
How do you prepare and apply to physical therapy school?
When I reconnected with the students to share my research on finding top physical therapy schools, they found the information hugely reassuring, saying it made their decision process far less overwhelming. We wrapped up our conversation by mapping out the exact path to application.
While high schoolers have their own roadmap for how to become a physical therapist, college undergraduates—ideally starting in their sophomore year—should take the following key steps:
Complete all prerequisites required for their physical therapy program application.
Get excellent grades in college or university.
Work or volunteer in health, wellness, and PT-specific settings.
Participate in research opportunities.
Check whether your target programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)—many DPT programs have dropped this requirement, so confirm with each school's admissions page.
Get letters of recommendation from professors and employers.
Identify and work with a mentor in the health and wellness field.
Network with, and learn from, people within the physical therapy field.
Be curious.
Why is finding the right physical therapy program important?
Physical therapy is a dynamic and exciting career in the health and wellness arena. Earning a spot at one of the top physical therapy schools is a great goal, but finding the right program for your specific needs is essential to securing the career of your dreams.
Understanding the specific characteristics you want in a PT program, as well as the specific criteria that you will use to choose programs, will help you narrow down the programs you will apply to. And, taking the necessary steps to set you apart in the application process will increase your probability of admission into the best physical therapy programs.
As I explained to these undergraduate students, setting yourself up to submit the best possible application will make your experience in healthcare unforgettable, and the world will be your oyster.
Sources
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). (2026). Accredited PT & PTA Programs Directory.
Gogol, F. (2024). The top 100 best physical therapy schools in the U.S. Stilt.
U.S. News & World Report. (2026). Best physical therapy programs.
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