To become a licensed physical therapist in the United States, you must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)–accredited institution. Because DPT tuition can be very expensive, sometimes even exceeding $100,000, many students seek out more affordable options. This guide highlights some of the cheapest accredited DPT programs in 2025 to help you compare schools and costs.
A Doctor of Physical Therapy degree typically takes three years to complete after earning your bachelor’s degree. All of these accredited programs require applicants to hold an undergraduate degree and complete prerequisite coursework in areas like anatomy, physiology, and biology. In this article, we will highlight the cheapest DPT programs that will help to support your school search.
How Much Do the Cheapest DPT Programs Cost in 2025?
As of 2025, the cheapest Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs at public universities typically cost between $15,000 and $30,000 per year for in-state residents. Out-of-state students often end up paying two to three times more, while private universities can exceed $50,000 annually. Living at home rather than on campus also remains one of the most effective ways to keep your total education costs down.
Breakdown of Cheapest DPT Program Costs in 2025
Tuition. Tuition makes up the largest share of the cost of attendance for DPT programs. Rates are typically calculated per credit hour, with most programs requiring at least 110–120 credit hours to graduate.
Textbooks and materials. Required textbooks, clinical apps, and National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) prep materials can add $1,000–$2,500 annually to your total educational costs.
Administrative fees. Universities typically charge administrative or student service fees, which can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 per year. These are common across most graduate programs.
Professional equipment fees. DPT students may be required to pay lab or clinical equipment fees to cover the cost of maintaining physical therapy training tools and lab facilities.
Beyond tuition, the average total cost of attendance for a DPT program, including fees, books, and living expenses, often reaches $90,000 to $120,000 for three years of study, which is a very significant amount of money.
Why Attend a DPT Program in 2025?
If you want to practice physical therapy in 2025, you may need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a CAPTE-accredited program to become licensed and practice as a physical therapist in the U.S. The DPT also opens the door to higher salaries and broader employment opportunities.
A DPT program provides the advanced clinical knowledge and hands-on training that you need to effectively and accurately deliver patient care. These programs will combine coursework with supervised clinical rotations, which prepares graduates to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and meet ever-evolving healthcare demands.
Career Options with a DPT Degree
Graduates of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs are qualified for many different roles both within the healthcare field and beyond. Physical therapists will often work in acute care hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, nursing and residential care facilities, government health agencies, sports and fitness organizations, and increasingly through telehealth platforms (as online healthcare grows as an industry). Some physical therapists choose to pursue careers in academia or research, which will help to advance physical therapy education and practice.
How Much Do Physical Therapists Earn with a DPT Degree?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physical therapists earn a median annual wage of $101,020 nationwide.1 This median salary will vary widely depending on the setting you are working in and your experience, with entry-level therapists earning less and experienced specialists earning more than the median.
Earnings also depend heavily on the work setting. Physical therapists that work in nursing and residential care facilities report higher median wages ($108,110) compared to those that are working in offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists and audiologists ($94,860).2 Additionally, your years of clinical experience and advanced certifications can also increase your salary potential.
Are There Free or Low-Cost DPT Programs in 2025?
No, accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs are unfortunately not free. This being said, there are ways for students to reduce the burdensome cost of tuition and expenses through scholarships, federal student aid, and tuition reimbursement programs that can be offered by some healthcare employers. Living at home rather than on campus will also significantly lower expenses. While some prerequisite coursework may be available online, all CAPTE-accredited DPT programs will require in-person clinical training and therefore cannot be completed fully online.
Some universities and health systems also offer service-based scholarships, where tuition is covered in exchange for a commitment to work in underserved communities after graduation.
Cheapest DPT Programs in 2025: Tuition and Program Details
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Notes |
| Baylor University | $19,500 per trimester3 | Same as in-state (private)3 | Hybrid 6-trimester program |
| Duke University | $42,000 per year4 | Same as in-state (private)4 | Top-5 ranked nationally5 |
| Howard University | $35,228 per year6 | Same as in-state (private)6 | Private HBCU program |
| San Francisco State University | $13,140 per year7 | $28,242 per year7 | Affordable California option |
| Winston-Salem State University | $5,872 per year8 | $16,407 per year8 | Affordable NC public option |
What are the Cheapest DPT Programs in 2025?
Below are examples of some of the most affordable accredited DPT programs, with updated tuition information for the 2024–25 academic year.
- Baylor University — $18,240 per trimester.3 Baylor’s hybrid DPT program blends online coursework with on-campus lab immersions and clinical rotations.
- Duke University — $42,000 per year.4 Duke’s program ranks among the top 5 nationally and reports strong licensure outcomes.5
- Howard University — $35,228 per year.6 A CAPTE-accredited program focused on preparing graduates for diverse practice settings.
- San Francisco State University — $13,140 per year (California residents); $28,242 (nonresidents).7 One of the lowest-cost options in California, with extensive clinical partnerships in the Bay Area.
- Winston-Salem State University — $5,872 per year (residents); $16,407 (nonresidents).8 A hands-on program offering clinical rotations across North Carolina healthcare facilities.
Public universities like San Francisco State University and Winston-Salem State University continue to offer some of the lowest in-state tuition rates, while private institutions such as Duke and Baylor remain among the higher-cost options. Prospective students should compare in-state vs. out-of-state tuition carefully, as this can mean a difference of $10,000–$20,000 per year.
Financial Aid and Funding Options for DPT Programs in 2025
Unfortunately, most Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students will graduate with student debt, but there are several options to help reduce the financial burden. Below are common ways for students to finance their DPT education in 2025.
Federal Student Loan Programs. Graduate students are eligible for federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and federal Direct PLUS Loans. These loans can cover things like tuition, living expenses, and other education costs. To qualify, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Scholarships and State Grants. National awards such as the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Minority Scholarship Award, Tylenol Future Care Scholarship, and other state-level health professional scholarships that can provide financial assistance to eligible DPT students. Each program will require a separate application and has specific eligibility requirements that you must be to be considered for the award.
Private Student Loans. Private loans are also available through banks and credit unions, but it’s important to note that they generally carry higher interest rates than federal loans. Students should carefully compare different loan terms and consider federal aid and scholarships before turning to private loans.
Depending on your employment eligibility and situation, some healthcare employers, including major hospital systems and rehabilitation networks, will offer tuition reimbursement or loan repayment assistance for new physical therapists who commit to working in underserved areas.
How to Save Money in DPT Programs (2025 Guide)
There are several ways to reduce your overall costs of earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in 2025:
- Choose affordable programs. Public universities typically offer lower in-state tuition compared to private schools.
- Minimize living costs. Living at home or sharing a house or apartment with roommates will reduce your expenses for rent and utilities.
- Work while studying. Many DPT students will take on part-time work, such as graduate assistantships or tutoring, to help offset their living costs. Some programs even offer paid research assistant positions for their students.
- Cook at home. Preparing your meals at home instead of dining out can save hundreds of dollars every month.
- Stick to a budget. Tracking your spending and creating a monthly budget will help prevent unnecessary debt and ensure that your money will be directed towards your essential expenses.
Depending where you live, some states offer tuition reciprocity agreements, which allow students to attend out-of-state public universities at reduced rates. Look into regional compacts like the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) to see if you can save any additional tuition money.
How to Choose the Right DPT Program in 2025
Finding the right Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program requires weighing both the costs and outcomes associated with your future degree. We recommend that students compare tuition, available scholarships, and financial aid, along with program features such as class size, faculty-to-student ratio, and clinical placement opportunities. Institutional data such as graduation, employment, and licensure pass rates, when this is publicly available, can also help guide your decision.
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) maintains a searchable database of all accredited DPT programs in the U.S., which is an essential and helpful starting point for applicants.
Cheapest DPT Programs FAQ
Acceptance rates for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs will vary widely by program, and most schools remain highly competitive. Applicants should review each school’s published admissions data for the most accurate and up-to-date acceptance information.
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Earning a DPT is required to become a licensed physical therapist in the U.S., which makes it essential for entering the profession. While programs can be expensive, the investment often pays off through your stable employment and solid earnings (as well as earning potential). As of today, physical therapists earn a median annual wage of $101,020 nationwide, with a projected growth rate of 14% in the next decade, which is much faster than the growth rate of other occupations.1
According to the BLS, physical therapists in nursing and residential care facilities earn the highest median wages, totaling $108,110.2 Among clinical specialties, fields such as neurology, geriatrics, and sports medicine are also associated with high pay, though exact figures will vary by employer and region.
Many DPT programs do require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores as part of the admissions process, but the weight placed on GRE results will vary by school. Some universities have dropped the GRE requirement entirely, while others set minimum score thresholds. Applicants should check each program’s admissions criteria through PTCAS or the school’s official website.
References
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm#tab-5
- https://physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu/dpt-program/tuition-financial-aid
- https://medschool.duke.edu/education/health-professions-education-programs/doctor-physical-therapy-program/admissions/tuition
- https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/physical-therapy-rankings
- https://cnahs.howard.edu/sites/cnahs.howard.edu/files/2023-03/HU.APTA_.Financial%20fact%20sheet%202022-2023.pdf
- https://registrar.ucsf.edu/registration/fees/graddiv2025
- https://www.wssu.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/school-of-health-sciences/department-of-physical-therapy/_Files/documents/dpt-financial-sheet.pdf
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