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2024 Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America

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About This List

The Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Compare top degree programs for kinesiology, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and massage therapy. This year's rankings have introduced an Economic Mobility Index, which measures the economic status change for low-income students. ACT/SAT scores have been removed from rankings to reflect a general de-emphasis on test scores in the college admissions process. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Where Niche Grades come from and how Niche calculates rankings.

    FAQs

    How many colleges for kinesiology and physical therapy are in America?
    There are 1,567 colleges in this list.
    What is the average acceptance rate for colleges for kinesiology and physical therapy in America?
    For the top 25 colleges, the average acceptance rate is 40%, which makes these schools competitive to get into. For these colleges, Northeastern University is the most competitive with an acceptance rate of 7% and Saint Louis University is the least competitive with an acceptance rate of 86%. Try using the Niche Admissions Calculator to get an idea of your chances.

    The Best Colleges for Physical Therapy

    Many universities throughout the nation offer physical therapy programs, most commonly the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). These programs are popular, so gaining admission can be difficult. There are many factors a student should consider before enrolling in a physical therapy program.

    The below-mentioned factors will provide insightful information for prospective students.

    Physical Therapy Careers

    Physical therapy is a broad term used for a variety of careers. An exercise physiologist is a career people think of when they hear the title physical therapist, although the two do not perform the same functions. A physical therapist restores movement after an injury, while an exercise physiologist designs programs to prevent pain while exercising. In both cases, the therapist creates a personalized exercise program for patients. These programs help rehabilitate a patient after an injury or surgery. Additionally, therapists also design programs to help patients prepare for surgery.

    There are many specialties in physical therapy, with some offering higher salaries and requiring additional training. Examples include the following:

    • Geriatric physical therapist
    • Orthopedic physical therapist
    • Pediatric physical therapist
    • Neurological physical therapist
    • Cardiopulmonary physical therapist

    Other careers that require a physical therapy degree include:

    • Recreational Therapists: These therapists use a holistic approach to help patients physically, mentally, and socially. They often use games, art, and sports to aid in recovery.
    • Physical Therapy Consultant: Consultants do not generally work with patients. Instead, they work with companies and advise them on the various software, machinery, and tools used to rehabilitate patients.

    Applying to Physical Therapy School

    Physical therapy programs are very competitive, with about 10% of applicants accepted. Therefore, it can be tough to get accepted into a program. Most physical therapy programs today are doctorate-level programs. Students need to obtain a bachelor's degree before they are eligible to apply.

    Most physical therapy programs will accept a wide variety of bachelor's degrees. However, some degree programs help students with the foundations of physical therapy. These degrees include:

    • Biology
    • Exercise Science
    • Health Science
    • Kinesiology
    • Psychology

    Additional admission requirements can include the following:

    • A high GPA of 3.5 or higher
    • A high score, 155+, on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
    • Observation hours with a licensed physical therapist
    • Strong communication skills
    • References and recommendation letters
    • Additional extracurricular activities

    Since the programs are so competitive, students should be prepared to apply to multiple schools.  Also, applicants need to make sure they know the specific requirements for each school, as they differ.

    Life as a Physical Therapy Student

    Physical therapy programs are rigorous, demanding, and very rewarding. For most students, it will be impossible to have an outside job while in physical therapy school. Therefore, students should be prepared to spend most of their time at school and rely on other sources of income such as grants, scholarships, and loans.

    In addition to regular classes, physical therapy programs have a lot of hands-on labs and clinical requirements. Students should prepare to be on campus all day Monday through Friday. In addition, students will need to study and practice the skills learned in the lab outside of the classroom.

    The program can be stressful. However, students in these programs often develop lifelong bonds and friendships.

    Additional Information From Niche

    Check out Niche’s top colleges for physical therapy list for more information about the best physical therapy programs, combined with the best kinesiology programs. We provide a plethora of information about each college, so students know what to expect when selecting colleges and applying.