## Introduction
Physical therapy (PT) is a health care profession that helps people recover from injuries or illnesses that limit their movement and mobility. Physical therapists use a variety of treatments, including exercise, massage, and stretching, to help their patients improve their range of motion, strength, and flexibility.
If you’re interested in a career in physical therapy, you’ll need to attend a physical therapy school. There are over 200 accredited physical therapy schools in the United States, so you have plenty of options to choose from.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 physical therapy schools in the United States. We’ll rank these schools based on a variety of factors, including their reputation, admission requirements, and tuition costs.
## Top 10 Physical Therapy Schools in the United States
1. **University of California, San Francisco** (UCSF)
2. **University of Pennsylvania** (Penn)
3. **Duke University** (Duke)
4. **Washington University in St. Louis** (WashU)
5. **University of Michigan** (Michigan)
6. **Harvard University** (Harvard)
7. **Columbia University** (Columbia)
8. **Northwestern University** (Northwestern)
9. **University of Maryland, College Park** (UMD)
10. **University of Texas at Austin** (UT Austin)
## What Makes a Good Physical Therapy School?
There are a number of factors that make a good physical therapy school. These factors include:
* **Reputation:** The reputation of a physical therapy school is an important factor to consider. You want to attend a school that is well-respected by employers and other professionals in the field.
* **Admission requirements:** The admission requirements for a physical therapy school are also important to consider. You’ll need to have a strong GPA and a high score on the GRE or MCAT in order to be admitted to most physical therapy schools.
* **Tuition costs:** The tuition costs for a physical therapy school can vary significantly. You’ll need to make sure that you can afford the tuition costs for the school that you’re interested in.
* **Clinical experience:** The clinical experience that you receive at a physical therapy school is also important. You’ll want to attend a school that offers a variety of clinical rotations in different settings.
## How to Choose the Right Physical Therapy School for You
Choosing the right physical therapy school for you is an important decision. There are a number of factors that you’ll need to consider, such as the reputation of the school, the admission requirements, the tuition costs, and the clinical experience that you’ll receive.
If you’re not sure how to choose the right physical therapy school for you, there are a few things that you can do. First, you can talk to your professors, advisors, or other mentors about their recommendations. You can also research different physical therapy schools online and read reviews from students who have attended those schools.
Once you’ve considered all of the factors, you should be able to narrow down your choices to a few schools. You can then visit each school and meet with the admissions staff and professors. This will give you a better idea of what the school is like and whether it’s a good fit for you.
## FAQ
**What is the difference between a physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant?**
A physical therapist is a licensed health care professional who helps people recover from injuries or illnesses that limit their movement and mobility. Physical therapists use a variety of treatments, including exercise, massage, and stretching, to help their patients improve their range of motion, strength, and flexibility.
A physical therapist assistant is a person who works under the supervision of a physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists with patient care, such as providing treatment, taking measurements, and recording patient progress.
**What are the job prospects for physical therapists?**
The job prospects for physical therapists are excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of physical therapists will grow by 26% from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing number of people who are aging and living with chronic conditions, such as arthritis and back pain.
**What is the salary for physical therapists?**
The median annual salary for physical therapists was $86,270 in 2019. The top 10% of earners made over $126,150, while the bottom 10% made less than $59,150.
## Conclusion
Physical therapy is a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to help people improve their lives. If you’re interested in a
