Best Physical Therapy Programs in Maryland

Maryland is home to several highly ranked physical therapy programs that produce skilled and licensed physical therapists ready to enter the workforce. When researching physical therapy schools in Maryland, key factors to consider include cost of attendance, program reputation and ranking, career support services, and graduate outcomes like licensure exam pass rates and average starting salaries. This list highlights 10 of the top physical therapy schools across Maryland based on these metrics.

University of Maryland at Baltimore

Baltimore, MD

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: Not Reported

Tuition: $32,016 (in-state), $62,027 (out-of-state)

Avg Salary: $92,680

Website: https://www.umaryland.edu/physicaltherapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Maryland at Baltimore is highly selective and fast-paced, blending classroom learning with clinical experiences across the state. The program focuses on developing culturally competent physical therapists equipped for today’s evolving healthcare landscape. Graduates boast exceptional licensure exam pass rates and starting salaries nearly $20,000 above the national average.

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Rating: 9.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 3.8%

Tuition: $53,400

Avg Salary: $84,380

Website: https://physicaltherapy.jhmi.edu/

The top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine produces skilled clinicians prepared to improve movement, function, and quality of life for people of all ages. Students benefit from innovative curriculum delivering both scientific knowledge and hands-on clinical training under expert faculty. Graduates pursue rewarding careers across various physical therapy specialties.

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Princess Anne, MD

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: Not Reported

Tuition: $10,524 (in-state), $18,809 (out-of-state)

Avg Salary: $85,200

Website: https://www.umes.edu/AHS/DPT/

Offering affordable in-state tuition, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore prepares students for rural and underserved clinical settings on the Eastern Shore and beyond. The hybrid curriculum blends online and in-person instruction with clinical training opportunities in diverse environments. Graduates deliver exceptional, evidence-based patient care as physical therapists.

University of Maryland College Park

College Park, MD

Rating: 8.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 43%

Avg SAT Score: 1340

Tuition: $10,779 (in-state), $36,066 (out-of-state)

Avg Salary: $84,470

Website: https://sph.umd.edu/department/knes/degrees/dpt

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program within the Department of Kinesiology at the flagship University of Maryland College Park ranks among the best in the nation. Students gain in-depth scientific knowledge regarding human movement and rehabilitation while training across various clinical settings in the Maryland-DC region. Graduates have high licensure exam pass rates and strong career preparedness.

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD

Rating: 7.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 73%

Avg SAT Score: 1110

Tuition: $8,932 (in-state), $18,378 (out-of-state)

Avg Salary: $83,150

Website: https://www.salisbury.edu/healthsciences/doctor-physical-therapy/index.aspx

Salisbury University offers an affordable pathway to becoming a physical therapist, with smaller cohort sizes allowing for individualized attention. The rigorous Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum provides classroom and lab instruction supplemented by abundant clinical experience opportunities across Maryland’s Eastern Shore region. Graduates deliver compassionate, evidence-based patient care.

Maryland University of Integrative Health

Laurel, MD

Rating: 7/10

Acceptance Rate: Not Reported

Tuition: $12,900 per trimester

Avg Salary: $82,650

Website: https://muih.edu/academics/programs-and-degrees/doctor-of-physical-therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Maryland University of Integrative Health takes a whole-person approach to physical therapy education, emphasizing integrative wellness models alongside conventional rehab methods. Students benefit from interprofessional training and abundant clinical experience opportunities. Graduates pursue careers advancing integrative healthcare offerings as licensed physical therapists.

Notre Dame of Maryland University

Baltimore, MD

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 72%

Tuition: $28,950 per year

Avg Salary: $87,540

Website: https://www.ndm.edu/school-of-pharmacy/physical-therapy

The small, all-female Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Notre Dame of Maryland University facilitiates deep interpersonal connection and mentoring relationships between faculty and students. The curriculum blends classroom learning with clinical training across leading Maryland medical institutions. Graduates deliver compassionate, evidence-based physical therapy as practitioners.

Howard University

Washington, D.C.

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 32%

Avg SAT Score: 1210

Tuition: $32,797 per year

Avg Salary: $82,150

Website: https://alliedhealth.howard.edu/programs-and-degrees/doctor-physical-therapy

Howard University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program facilitates diverse learning and vast clinical training opportunities across the Washington D.C. area. The hybrid curriculum emphasizes social responsibility and community health needs. Graduates address healthcare inequities as culturally competent physical therapy practitioners.

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

San Marcos, CA

Rating: 7.5/10

Acceptance Rate: Not Reported

Tuition: $31,495 per trimester

Avg Salary: $85,080

Website: https://www.usa.edu/

The University of St. Augustine offers an accredited online Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program ideal for working professionals looking to advance their career. The curriculum integrates online course delivery with in-person intensive skill training sessions across the country. Graduates enter physical therapy practice prepared to pass the national licensure exam.

Towson University

Towson, MD

Rating: 8/10

Acceptance Rate: 76%

Avg SAT Score 1270

Tuition: $9,996 (in-state), $20,206 (out-of-state)

Avg Salary: $87,140

Website: https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/physicaltherapy/

Towson University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy prides itself on delivering an affordable pathway to licensure and practice as a physical therapist. Students gain scientific knowledge and clinical skills training across classroom, lab, and abundant area clinic settings. Graduates address physical therapy workforce shortages across Maryland with exceptional patient care.

See Other Best Physical Therapy Schools in the Northeast

• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Connecticut
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Massachusetts
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in New Jersey
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in New York
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Pennsylvania
• See Best Physical Therapy Schools by State

Frequently Asked Questions

What GPA and prerequisites are required for DPT programs in Maryland?

Most programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA overall and in prerequisite courses, which typically include biology, chemistry, physics, human anatomy, physiology, psychology, and statistics. Strong academic performance and entrance exam scores are crucial given the competitiveness of programs.

How much does physical therapy school cost in Maryland?

Tuition for Maryland DPT programs ranges from about $9,000 per year for affordable in-state public university options to over $30,000 annually for private programs. Cost of living and other school-related expenses also factor in.

What is the job outlook for physical therapists in Maryland?

The job outlook for physical therapists across Maryland and nationwide is excellent. According to the BLS, employment of PTs is projected to grow 18% from 2020-2030, much faster than average across all occupations. Aging baby boomers and increased population health demands drive growth.

What services do physical therapists provide?

Physical therapists provide services that help restore mobility and movement to patients with injuries, chronic conditions, disabilities, or age-related issues. This includes initial evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning, hands-on interventions, patient education, and outcome assessments.

What are common physical therapy specialties?

Common PT specialty areas include orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, sports medicine, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, women’s health, wound care, and more. Specialty training generally occurs after completing the DPT degree.

What is the typical salary for PTs in Maryland?

According to the BLS, the average annual salary for physical therapists across Maryland is $92,900 compared to $95,620 nationally. Those working in hospitals, schools, and skilled nursing facilities earn the highest wages on average.

What is the format of DPT programs in Maryland?

Most DPT programs take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis. They blend scientific classroom learning, hands-on lab training, and extensive supervised clinical placements locally and sometimes in other states. Some programs offer part-time, hybrid flexible options.

Are there DPT program scholarships available in Maryland?

Yes, many Maryland DPT programs provide departmental scholarships for enrolled students meeting GPA or financial need criteria. Additionally, there are external scholarships and grant opportunities at the state and national level for future physical therapists.

Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) required to practice as a PT?

Yes, completing an accredited DPT program and passing the national licensure exam are required to legally practice physical therapy across the U.S. in various settings like hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, and private practices.

Rohit Mittal

Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.

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