Just out of curiosity. I've researched this more for schools in Canada and more for med schools.

But in the US, which is considered to be the top-notch Physical Therapy school? Which other ones rank high??

Thanks!!

Health: Physical Therapy (Master's/Doctorate)
Ranked in 2004*

Rank/School Average assessment score (5.0 = highest)

1. University of Southern California 4.3
2. Washington University in St. Louis 4.1
3. University of Pittsburgh 4.0
4. University of Delaware 3.9
5. MGH Institute of Health Professions (MA) 3.8
US Army-Baylor University (TX) 3.8
University of Iowa 3.8
8. Emory University (GA) 3.7
Univ. of North Carolina--Chapel Hill (NC) 3.7
10. Duke University (NC) 3.6
Northwestern University (IL) 3.6
Temple University (PA) 3.6
University of Miami (FL) 3.6
14. Boston University 3.5
U. of California--San Francisco/San Francisco State U. 3.5
16. Creighton University (NE) 3.4
Marquette University (WI) 3.4
New York University 3.4
Northern Arizona University 3.4
University of Illinois--Chicago 3.4
University of Indianapolis 3.4
University of Maryland--Baltimore 3.4
23. Arcadia University (PA) 3.3
Simmons College (MA) 3.3
25. Columbia University (NY) 3.2
University of Alabama--Birmingham 3.2
University of Florida 3.2
University of Kansas Medical Center 3.2
University of Minnesota--Twin Cities 3.2
Virginia Commonwealth University 3.2
31. Texas Woman's University 3.1
Univ. of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 3.1
University of Nebraska Medical Center 3.1
University of Wisconsin--La Crosse 3.1
35. Ithaca College (NY) 3.0
Ohio State University 3.0
University at Buffalo--SUNY 3.0
University of Kentucky 3.0
University of Utah 3.0
40. Belmont University (TN) 2.9
Northeastern University (MA) 2.9
Old Dominion University (VA) 2.9
Sacred Heart University (CT) 2.9
Stony Brook University (NY) 2.9
Thomas Jefferson University (PA) 2.9
U. of Texas Medical Branch--Galveston 2.9
Univ. of Colorado Health Science Center 2.9
University of Central Arkansas 2.9
University of Missouri--Columbia 2.9
University of Washington 2.9
University of Wisconsin--Madison 2.9
52. Elon University (NC) 2.8
Mayo School of Health Related Sciences (MN) 2.8
Medical College of Georgia 2.8
Pacific University (OR) 2.8
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (IL) 2.8
St. Louis University 2.8
Texas State University--San Marcos 2.8
UMDNJ/Kean Univ./Seton Hall Univ. 2.8
University of Connecticut 2.8
University of Montana--Missoula 2.8
University of Vermont 2.8
University of the Pacific (CA) 2.8
64. Armstrong Atlantic State University (GA) 2.7
Eastern Washington University 2.7
Indiana University--Indianapolis 2.7
Ohio University 2.7
SUNY Health Science Center--Syracuse 2.7
Samuel Merritt College (CA) 2.7
U. of Texas Southwestern Med. Ctr.--Dallas 2.7
University of Michigan--Flint 2.7
University of Rhode Island 2.7
University of Tennessee--Memphis 2.7
74. California State University--Fresno 2.6
Central Michigan University 2.6
Drexel University (PA) 2.6
Georgia State University 2.6
Louisiana State Univ. Medical Center 2.6
Louisiana State Univ.--Shreveport 2.6
Medical University of South Carolina 2.6
New York Medical College 2.6
North Georgia Col. and State Univ. 2.6
Oakland University (MI) 2.6
Regis University (CO) 2.6
Rutgers State U.--Camden - UMDNJ 2.6
Shenandoah University (VA) 2.6
Slippery Rock Univ. of Pennsylvania 2.6
Texas Tech Univ. Health Sciences Center 2.6
Univ. of Tennessee--Chattanooga 2.6
University of North Dakota (ND) 2.6
91. Duquesne University (PA) 2.5
Grand Valley State University (MI) 2.5
Loma Linda University (CA) 2.5
Medical Col. of Ohio/Bowling Green State U./U. of Toledo 2.5
Quinnipiac University (CT) 2.5
Rockhurst College (MO) 2.5
U. of Texas Health Science Center--San Antonio 2.5
University of Evansville (IN) 2.5
University of Puget Sound (WA) 2.5
West Virginia University 2.5

In response to premedwoahs post of the rankings. I went to DesMoines University (actually called the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences when I went) and I didn't see it listed.

I have been a clinical instructor for 15 years and have seen duds from top schools, and superstars from bottom schools.

Point being it is the individual, not the school that makes a difference.

Just out of curiosity. I've researched this more for schools in Canada and more for med schools.

But in the US, which is considered to be the top-notch Physical Therapy school? Which other ones rank high??

Thanks!!

Mac Kin,

Just some advice... If you decide you really want to get into physiotherapy... go to a Canadian school if you have the marks to get in... PT schools in the states are very expensive.. and the Ontario schools are all high qaulity schools ... I am sure that there are good schools in the states as well but with such a huge number a schools to choose from it may be hard to tell which schools are good or bad.. plus if you want to practise in Canada you will have to pass the practical PNE.. i am not sure how well the american schools would prepare you for that.

I have always questioned the rankings. It's been a long time since I've seen an updated list, but I'm not completely sure how objective they are. I'm pretty comfortable with the top few (USC and WashU) but only by reputation. I have had at least a few students from all over and have experienced a pretty wide range of skill.

UTMB prepared me well for life in the clinic, but I try to pound into students' heads that you really don't start learning until you get out of school. You learn more in your first year of practice than your whole 2-3 years in PT school.

Where you go to school is not very important. As PT2MD said, physical therapy is mainly learned on the job. In school, just learn your anatomy and physiology well. PT is just applied anatomy and physiology. The school I went to is not on the list, but I feel I got an outstanding education, especially in anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience. In picking a school, I would look at cost, location (a place you are willing to be for 2-3 years), how soon you can start, and now soon you can finish. Once you graduate, no one will ever ask where you went to school unless they are trying to make conversation.