Top 10 PT Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates 2026

Physical therapy (PT) schools offering Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs prepare students for top roles in this healthcare field. Are you interested in earning this degree but want to improve your chances of admission by applying to PT schools with high acceptance rates?

Keep reading as we highlight institutions offering DPT programs with high acceptance rates.

How Competitive Are Physical Therapy Schools?

Physical therapy schools are known for being very competitive. It's common to encounter institutions that only admit a specific number of students each cohort or accept about 10% to 20% of applicants. To gain admission to many programs, you'll need a competitive GPA and GRE score and a strong performance in prerequisite coursework.

What Is Considered a High Acceptance Rate for a PT School?

With many physical therapy schools admitting a small percentage of their applicants each year, an acceptance rate greater than 40% is often considered high. Fortunately, you can find schools that accept this percentage of applicants and higher. Read on to find out which PT schools are the easiest to get into.

What Are the Easiest PT Schools To Get Into?

The easiest PT schools to get into accept a large percentage of applicants each admission period. The following institutions are among the schools with the highest acceptance rates.

• St. Ambrose University: 72% acceptance rate
• Graceland University: 66% acceptance rate
• Plymouth State University: 60% acceptance rate

Best Physical Therapy Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates

Are you ready to enroll in a top physical therapy school? Review the following list to find institutions with the highest acceptance rates.

1. St. Ambrose University

The DPT at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA, is a 28-month program incorporating a blend of coursework, clinical experiences, and research. Students complete 115 credits and six clinical rotations, and can participate in orthopaedic or pediatric PT residencies.

This program, which admits college graduates and allows high school seniors to reserve a spot in a future cohort, has different requirements depending on applicants' academic backgrounds. For the program's most recent class, 72% of applicants were accepted.

• Acceptance rate: 72%
• Estimated tuition cost: $8,905 to $17,810 per semester/summer session
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Graceland University

At Graceland University in Independence, MO, students can pursue a hybrid DPT program with a 66% acceptance rate. To enroll, learners need a bachelor's degree with a cumulative and/or prerequisite GPA of 3.0 and must have 40 hours of observation, work, or volunteer experience.

In this two-year accelerated program, students complete coursework online during the day. Face-to-face lab immersions take place on-site in Mission, KS.

• Acceptance rate: 66%
• Estimated tuition cost: $945 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Plymouth State University

Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH, offers a 117-credit DPT that begins in early June each year. This program, which accepts 60% of applicants, teaches neuroscience, dynamic systems, and clinical psychology, and includes hands-on clinical practice experiences.

To gain admission, students need a minimum overall and science GPA of 3.0. Applicants must also complete prerequisites that include biology, statistics, and social/behavioral science.

• Acceptance rate: 60%
• Estimated tuition cost: $9,524 per year (in-state); $11,254 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

4. Marymount University

Marymount University's DPT is a 99-credit, three-year program in Arlington, VA, offering a problem-based curriculum. It covers gross anatomy, healthcare delivery, applied pathophysiology, and more. Clinical practicums are also included.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative and prerequisite 3.0 GPA and two references. The program's acceptance rate is 54.5%.

• Acceptance rate: 54.5%
• Estimated tuition cost: $123,500 total cost
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

5. University of Missouri

Students interested in a DPT with several enrollment options can pursue a campus-based program at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. This degree is open to students with a bachelor's degree and guarantees admission to qualified high school seniors and first-semester MU freshmen selected as SHarP Scholars.

The acceptance rate for this program is 52.4%. Graduates have a 98.3% National Physical Therapy Examination pass rate and a 100% employment rate.

• Acceptance rate: 52.4%
• Estimated tuition cost: $647.70 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Drexel University

Drexel University in Philadelphia is home to a DPT program that students can complete in two and a half years. In addition to didactic coursework, learners gain hands-on training in clinical settings, as well as in the school's patient lab, gait and mobility research lab, and human anatomy lab.

To enroll, applicants need a bachelor's degree and a minimum preferred cumulative overall and science GPA of 3.0. The acceptance rate for this program is 50%.

• Acceptance rate: 50%
• Estimated tuition cost: $9,577 to $64,192 per year
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

7. University of Indianapolis

In the DPT program at the University of Indianapolis, students receive in-person and virtual instruction as well as supervised clinical practice in high-quality healthcare facilities. This three-year, full-time traditional degree has an acceptance rate of 48%.

All incoming students must possess a bachelor's degree unless they're admitted to the accelerated undergraduate (3+3) program, which is designed for learners earning both their bachelor's and DPT at the university.

• Acceptance rate: 48%
• Estimated tuition cost: $43,310 total cost
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Regis University

Regis University in Denver, CO, offers a DPT with an average application-to-acceptance rate of 47%. Students enrolled in this 110-credit program take a blend of on-campus and virtual courses and gain 38 weeks of full-time clinical exposure.

To qualify for enrollment, the school recommends that students have a minimum cumulative anatomy and physiology and science GPA of 3.0 and a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75. Applicants should also have a bachelor's degree.

• Acceptance rate: 47%
• Estimated tuition cost: $1,066 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

9. North Central College

At North Central College in Naperville, IL, students can pursue a unique DPT with competency-focused coursework that features a pass/no pass format instead of grades. The program includes traditional classroom learning, self-paced learning, and full-time clinical experiences.

To apply, students should have a cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 2.85 or higher and prerequisite course grades of ''C'' or higher. The acceptance rate for this program is 45%.

• Acceptance rate: 45%
• Estimated tuition cost: $980 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

10. University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas's DPT is designed for students with a bachelor's degree, an overall cumulative and science 3.0 GPA, and a completed GRE. This program, located in Conway, AR, has an acceptance rate of 44%.

The curriculum includes 124 credits of coursework and full-time clinical experiences at clinical education facilities in and out of the state. Enrollees are generally awarded their clinical doctorate three years after completing a bachelor's degree.

• Acceptance rate: 44%
• Estimated tuition cost: $7,376.10 to 11,545.20 per fall/spring semester (out-of-state students pay double)
• Accreditation: HLC

Admissions Requirements for PT Schools With High Acceptance Rates

Admission requirements for PT schools with high acceptance rates vary by institution. However, the following are requirements you might encounter when applying to schools:

• bachelor's degree (some schools pre-enroll high school seniors)
• minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA
• observation, volunteer, or work experience hours
• interview with DPT program faculty
• personal essay
• references
• GRE score

Students are commonly asked to submit materials through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

FAQs About PT Schools With High Acceptance Rates

Do you want to pursue a DPT degree from a school with a high acceptance rate? Explore the following FAQs to learn more about these institutions.

Are There Any PT Schools With a 100% Acceptance Rate?

No, there are no physical therapy schools with a 100% acceptance rate. PT schools are very competitive and rarely accept the majority of their applicants. However, you can find programs with higher-than-average acceptance rates, such as those at St. Ambrose University (72%), Graceland University (66%), and Plymouth State University (60%).

What GPA Gets You Into PT School?

Each physical therapy school sets its own GPA requirements. However, it's common for programs to seek applicants with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on coursework completed at a previous institution. Some schools also ask students to meet minimum GPA requirements for science or other prerequisite courses.

What Is the #1 Physical Therapy School in the U.S.?

According to U.S. News and World Report, two schools offer the best programs in the nation. The University of Delaware, ranked number one, is a 2.5-year program with highly rated faculty and state-of-the-art laboratories. Washington University in St. Louis, also ranked number one, is a two-year, eight-month program with an overall average GPA of 3.76 among applicants.

How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting Into PT School?

If you want to improve your chances of gaining admission to a PT school, consider these tips:

• Earn a bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., biology or kinesiology).
• Keep your overall and prerequisite GPA higher than the 3.0 average.
• Secure a high GRE score.
• Get PT observation, volunteering, or work hours.
• Ask for references from your professors or licensed physical therapists.

Explore Physical Therapy Programs

Take the next step toward an exciting PT career by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest today to discover ways they can help you achieve your goals.