If you want to make a difference in people's lives by helping them recover from injury or surgery, consider a career in physical therapy (PT). You can choose to work with athletes, the elderly, or other recovering groups to guide them toward better health and a higher quality of life.
Finding the best online physical therapy programs takes time, but this guide can help you launch your search. Discover physical therapy doctoral programs that can prepare you for licensure, and find out what to expect while in school.
Popular Physical Therapy Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Physical Therapy Degrees 2025
Online Physical Therapy Degrees of 2025
Arcadia University
- Glenside, PA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The online transitional doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program at Arcadia University offers an efficient 100% online learning experience leading to graduation in 1-3 years. Courses use both asynchronous and synchronous elements to engage students.
Six start dates throughout the year make it easy to get started, and learners can take up to three courses to try the program out before formally applying.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,821
Out of State | $1,821
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Why Students Choose Arcadia:
- Fully Remote: Arcadia's DPT program requires no campus presence whatsoever.
- Doctoral Pathway for Bachelor's Applicants: Candidates do not need a master's degree if they hold an active physical therapist license.
- Flexible Payments: Arcadia offers a tuition payment plan that divides semesterly tuition and fees into six affordable installments over the course of the program.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Licensure Required: Applicants must have a valid physical therapist license.
- Higher Tuition for International Students: Students who completed their physical therapy training outside the United States pay slightly higher tuition.
- Unique Course Structures: Most courses in the program have specific structures, often including scheduled elements that require participation at set times.
Percent Online Enrollment
34%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Physical Therapy Degrees of 2025
Boston University
- Boston, MA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The online post-professional doctor of occupational therapy program at Boston University offers one-on-one faculty mentorship opportunities and tuition savings on the cost of BU's comparable on-campus program. New cohorts launch three times per year.
The program builds up to a doctoral project that prompts students to develop an evidence-based model for improving occupational therapy service delivery. This unique feature builds socially and culturally responsive critical thinking skills.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $14,581
Out of State | $14,581
Programmatic Accreditation: American Occupational Therapy Association
Why Students Choose BU:
- Flexibility: Learners spend around 5-10 hours per week on their coursework, making it easier to balance school with outside commitments.
- Efficiency: Students who do not require any foundational coursework can complete the program in just 16 months.
- No Clinical Experience Requirements: BU accepts students who lack clinical experience.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Accredited Degree Required: Applicants must have an occupational therapy degree accredited by the Accreditation Council for Physical Therapy Education or the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
- Foundation Course Requirements: Students may need to take up to six foundational courses, which can increase both costs and completion timelines.
Percent Online Enrollment
14%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
Online Physical Therapy Degrees of 2025
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 years
- Online
What Sets It Apart:
The professional DPT program at Nova Southeastern University uses a dynamic blended model that delivers innovative new ways of applying didactic content to clinical physical therapy practice. Since 2022, graduates have posted 100% pass rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination, with 91.5% of alumni passing on their first attempt.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $3,249
Out of State | $3,249
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Why Students Choose NSU:
- Small Class Sizes: NSU keeps class sizes small by limiting admissions to 43-46 students per cohort.
- A Strong Learning Community: NSU's close-knit cohort model offers plenty of peer networking opportunities.
- Immersive Internships: Learners spend their final nine months in full-time clinical internship placements.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Blended Online Modalities: Hybrid classes include both asynchronous and synchronous online elements.
- Campus Residency Requirements: The hybrid program requires five-day campus residencies in Tampa Bay three times per semester.
- Face-to-Face Components: Practical exams, written exams, and patient practice sessions all take place exclusively in person.
Percent Online Enrollment
52%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Physical Therapy Degrees of 2025
Shenandoah University
- Winchester, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The online post-professional DPT program at Shenandoah University emphasizes evidence-based clinical practice skills in a range of formats developed for students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. The 30-credit curriculum is designed for mentorship: Students in the fully online, asynchronously delivered program regularly engage with professors in one-on-one video conferencing sessions.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $677
Out of State | $677
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Why Students Choose Shenandoah:
- Flexibility: Choose from structured one- or two-year completion plans.
- No Master's Required: Learners with a qualified bachelor's degree can pursue a seven-term BS-to-DPT program.
- Strong Support: Shenandoah offers support to online DPT students from day one, beginning with an orientation session and continuing until the moment of graduation.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Clinical Experience Required: Shenandoah requires an active physical therapist license and at least one year of clinical experience in the United States or Canada.
- Cohort Model: All completion plans use cohort models that move students through the program at the same pace.
Percent Online Enrollment
37%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Physical Therapy Degrees of 2025
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The University of Southern California offers a hybrid DPT program connects students to the school's world-renowned faculty in an immersive three-year format that blends distance and hands-on learning. Emphasizing a compassionate yet evidence-based approach to physical therapy, the curriculum builds strong interpersonal bonds and professional networks through its close-knit cohort model.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $25,382-$28,007
Out of State | $25,382-$28,007
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Why Students Choose USC:
- Small Online Classes: The program's online components average just 12 students per class.
- Versatility: USC's program covers cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurologic therapy and prepares degree-seekers to work with people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Community-Based Experiences: Students complete clinical fieldwork placements in their areas, giving them convenient ways to develop their skills.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Hybrid Pathway: USC's program combines both online and in-person delivery modes, and students must complete immersion experiences on campus.
- Elevated Admission Requirements: USC admits DPT students with bachelor's degrees, but applicants need a 3.0 GPA in their science coursework.
- High Cost: At $84,023 per year for the first two years of study, USC's tuition costs are relatively high.
Percent Online Enrollment
34%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Online Physical Therapy Degrees of 2025
Winston-Salem State University
- Winston-Salem, NC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The transitional DPT program at Winston-Salem State University uses a convenient 100% online delivery model to help established physical therapists earn a terminal credential. Maintaining a global focus, the program requires just four semesters of full-time study.
The professionally focused curriculum meets the education requirements for doctor of physical therapy licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $1,291
Out of State | $4,802
Programmatic Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Why Students Choose WSSU:
- Acceleration Pathways: Students with relevant master's degrees can receive up to six credits of advanced standing, reducing their credit requirements by up to 25%.
- Stay on Track: Monthly online meetings keep students engaged and focused on their progress.
- Affordability: WSSU offers the lowest net price of the schools featured in this ranking.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Time Limits Apply: Students must complete the program within three years of starting it.
- Licensure Required: WSSU's program is for actively practicing physical therapists.
- Higher Nonresident Tuition: Students from outside North Carolina and its tuition reciprocity zone face significantly higher costs.
Percent Online Enrollment
81%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula on our most affordable rankings. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This list is from 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Price Check
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the total education costs for a physical therapy degree program for in-state students range from around $11,900 to $228,452.
Why Get a PT Doctoral Degree?
A physical therapy degree offers measurable career benefits. Some are detailed below.
- A doctorate in physical therapy is required to pursue a career as a licensed physical therapist.
- A physical therapy degree program equips you with advanced knowledge to make important decisions and guide patients’ therapeutic care plans.
- In May 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that physical therapists earned a median annual salary of $99,710, about 30% more than the national median annual salary for all workers ($48,060).
How Much Does a Physical Therapy Degree Cost?
Online physical therapy degree programs often cost less than in-person programs. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), in 2020, the average annual tuition cost for online health doctoral programs was $23,851, which was nearly $8,000 less than the average cost of campus-based health programs.
While your online PT program may have lower tuition rates, you will still need to budget for fees, books, and clinical tools like scrubs. You'll also want to check for on-campus requirements, as some programs require annual campus visits.
Many additional factors influence program costs, including:
- School location, prestige, and reputation among employers
- Program delivery formats
- Faculty qualifications
Average Cost of Professional Doctorates in the Health Professions
| Program Format |
Average Annual Tuition and Fees (2020) |
| On campus (Public, four-year) |
$31,509 |
| On campus (Private, four-year) |
$43,739 |
| Online (public, four-year) |
$19,411 |
| Online (private, four-year) |
$35,786 |
Source: NCES
How Much Do Physical Therapists Make?
According to BLS data, the median average annual salary for physical therapists was $99,710 in 2023. However, factors like experience impact earning potential. According to Payscale data, as of October 2024, entry-level physical therapists earn an average annual salary of $71,141. Those with over 20 years of experience earn an average salary of $93,159 annually.
Geographic location also influences earning potential. According to the BLS, California has the highest employment level in the U.S. for physical therapists, earning an average salary of $114,270 per year as of May 2023. Alternatively, physical therapists in Montana earn an average salary of $85,020, on the lower end of the salary range for physical therapists in the U.S.
What You Can Expect in a Physical Therapy Program
In a physical therapy program, you learn how to communicate with patients, families, and healthcare providers. You also hone teamwork and collaboration skills through group projects and practice therapy exercises.
Most doctoral programs in this field require more than 100 credits and practical experience, which can be completed in eight semesters. Common courses in physical therapy programs include movement science, gross anatomy, and physical therapy across the lifespan.
Common Physical Therapy Courses
-
Movement Science
This course explores the biomechanics of the human body and the fundamentals of human movement. You'll learn how to assess patients' movement abilities and apply movement intervention strategies.
-
Gross Anatomy
This class examines the anatomical structure of the human body and the relationships between the body's systems. You'll gain an overall understanding of the body's functionality.
-
Physical Therapy Across the Lifespan
This course explores how the aging process impacts movement abilities and pain. You will acquire skills to improve the quality of life and healthy development of patients of all ages.
Licensure Requirements for Physical Therapists
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). This test includes 225 questions and takes up to five hours to complete. The exam costs $485.
FSBPT offers a practice exam and publishes a list of sample questions online. The exam covers, among other topics:
- The musculoskeletal system
- Therapeutic modalities
- Safety measures
- Professional responsibilities
- Interactions between human body systems
Most states require professionals to complete continuing education for licensure renewal. Each state requires a different number of continuing education credits. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Physical Therapy Degrees
Physical therapists typically need six to seven years of higher education to earn a doctorate. You'll need to earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as kinesiology or biology, which takes an average of four years, and then a doctorate, which takes another three. You may be able to finish your studies faster through an accelerated program.
All states require a doctorate in physical therapy for licensure. However, you can become a PT assistant with an associate or a bachelor's degree. You can also enter a doctoral program if you hold a master's degree in physical therapy.
Yes. Every state requires physical therapists to hold a license. They must first pass the NPTE. Twenty-nine states also require physical therapists to pass a jurisprudence exam that tests their knowledge of laws applicable to physical therapy practice in that state. You can find the latest requirements through your state's licensing authority.
You can complete some of the required coursework for a physical therapy degree online. Many schools offer hybrid programs in physical therapy. You view lectures and take tests online, but you typically need to complete clinical rotations or training in person.
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