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.
See all posts Rohit MittalBest Physical Therapy Programs in Oregon
Updated on February 7, 2024
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Oregon has several excellent physical therapy programs that prepare students for careers as physical therapists. Physical therapists work to help patients regain mobility and manage pain after injury or illness. The top physical therapy schools in Oregon offer rigorous curricula, quality clinical placements, strong career support, and affordable tuition rates compared to private programs. This article profiles the 10 highest-rated physical therapy schools in Oregon based on factors like admissions selectivity, graduation rates, affordability, and graduate career outcomes.
Pacific University
Location: Forest Grove, OR
Rating: 8.5/10
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Tuition: $43,794 per year
Avg Salary: $86,850
Website: https://www.pacificu.edu
Pacific University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is fully accredited and takes 34 months to complete. The curriculum includes clinical experiences integrated with coursework to prepare students to provide compassionate, evidence-based care. Students benefit from Pacific’s affiliation with specialty clinics, hospitals, and practices across Oregon and Washington. Over 95% of DPT graduates pass the NPTE licensure exam on the first attempt.
Oregon State University
Location: Corvallis, OR
Rating: 9/10
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Tuition: $28,192 per year (in-state)
Avg Salary: $88,300
Website: https://health.oregonstate.edu
Oregon State University offers an accredited DPT program focusing on primary care physical therapy. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and includes 32 weeks of full-time clinical rotations. Graduates consistently demonstrate high NPTE licensure exam pass rates. Oregon State also provides exceptional value among private and public physical therapy programs in the Pacific Northwest.
Western University of Health Sciences
Location: Lebanon, OR
Rating: 7.5/10
Acceptance Rate: Not Reported
Tuition: $40,995 per year
Avg Salary: $85,500
Website: https://www.westernu.edu
Western University of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit institution offering a DPT program at its Lebanon, Oregon campus. The program focuses on clinical skill development with integrated clinical experiences. Students complete three, full-time clinical internships prior to graduation. Western U demonstrates solid licensure exam and job placement rates for DPT graduates.
George Fox University
Location: Newberg, OR
Rating: 8/10
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Tuition: $40,864 per year
Avg Salary: $87,300
Website: https://www.georgefox.edu
George Fox University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program emphasizes whole-person care and purposeful work. The curriculum integrates clinical experience early through part-time, integrated clinical experiences. Students complete three, full-time clinical internships in a variety of settings. George Fox reports outstanding NPTE pass rates and job placement statistics for DPT graduates.
Pacific Northwest University
Location: Yakima, WA (Program Located in Hillsboro, OR)
Rating: 7/10
Acceptance Rate: Not Reported
Tuition: $35,764 per year
Avg Salary: $85,000
Website: https://www.pnwu.edu
Pacific Northwest University offers an accredited DPT program at its Hillsboro, Oregon campus. The curriculum focuses on developing generalist physical therapists to work in underserved communities. Students complete clinical rotations integrated with coursework and three full-time clinical internships. Pacific Northwest demonstrates solid graduation and NPTE exam pass rates.
Concordia University
Location: Portland, OR
Rating: 6.5/10
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Tuition: $40,500 per year
Avg Salary: $82,700
Website: https://www.cu-portland.edu
Concordia University offers an accredited DPT program emphasizing ethical practice and cultural competence. Students complete clinical rotations integrated with coursework each term plus three full-time clinical internships. Concordia reports strong graduation rates and NPTE exam pass rates around 90% for DPT graduates. The program provides a affordable private school option.
Mount Hood Community College
Location: Gresham, OR
Rating: 5.5/10
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition: $4,755 per year
Avg Salary: $60,000
Website: https://mhcc.edu
Mount Hood Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program. The program includes general education courses, technical courses, and clinical affiliations. Graduates are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination for PT assistants. The program demonstrates solid licensure exam pass rates for an affordable pathway into the field.
Lane Community College
Location: Eugene, OR
Rating: 6/10
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition: $5,790 per year
Avg Salary: $62,500
Website: https://www.lanecc.edu
Lane Community College provides an Associate of Applied Science program to prepare Physical Therapist Assistants. Students complete nearly 700 hours of clinical experience in addition to lab coursework in modalities, assessment, rehabilitation, and more. The program reports impressive 100% NPTE exam pass rates for the past five years. It’s an affordable PTA program option.
Linn-Benton Community College
Location: Albany, OR
Rating: 5.5/10
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Tuition: $5,418 per year
Avg Salary: $61,000
Website: https://www.linnbenton.edu
Linn-Benton Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant cooperative program with other Oregon community colleges. The program includes online and lab coursework integrated with clinical education experiences. Graduates may be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination for PT assistants.
Portland Community College
Location: Portland, OR
Rating: 6/10
Acceptance Rate: Not Reported
Tuition: $5,790 per year
Avg Salary: $63,500
Website: https://www.pcc.edu
Portland Community College provides an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program. The curriculum emphasizes developing knowledge and skills for entry-level PTA positions. Students complete multiple clinical affiliations to gain hands-on experience. The program reports solid job placement and NPTE exam pass rates.
See Other Best Physical Therapy Schools in the West
- Best Physical Therapy Schools in Arizona
- Best Physical Therapy Schools in California
- Best Physical Therapy Schools in Utah
- Best Physical Therapy Schools in Washington
- See Best Physical Therapy Schools by State
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a Physical Therapist?
You need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to become a licensed Physical Therapist. DPT programs typically take 3 years to complete after finishing an undergraduate bachelor’s degree.
What degree do I need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
You need an Associate’s degree from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program to become a licensed PTA. These programs take 2 years and include clinical affiliations.
What is the job outlook for Physical Therapists in Oregon?
The job growth for Physical Therapists is projected to increase 21% in Oregon through 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The aging population and expanded coverage for PT services under insurance plans contributes to strong demand.
How much do Physical Therapists earn in Oregon?
The average annual salary for Physical Therapists in Oregon is over $88,000 according to May 2021 BLS data. Salaries vary based on setting, experience level, specialty certifications and other factors.
What examination do I need to pass to get licensed?
You must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to become a licensed Physical Therapist (PT) or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in Oregon and other states.
Are there DPT programs in Oregon that don’t require the GRE?
Yes, a few DPT programs in Oregon including Pacific University, George Fox University, and Concordia University Portland do not require GRE test scores for admission currently.
Can I do clinical rotations out-of-state?
Most Oregon DPT programs allow students to complete 1-2 of their clinical rotations/internships out of the state or internationally if they meet eligibility requirements. Check with individual programs on their policies.
How competitive is admissions for DPT programs in Oregon?
Admissions is moderately to highly competitive for most accredited DPT programs in Oregon, with many programs accepting 20-30% or less of applicants on average each year. Meet or exceed minimum GPA and test score requirements to be most competitive.
What pre-requisite courses do DPT programs require?
Typical pre-requisites include Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Statistics, and potentially Medical Terminology or ethics coursework. Check individual program websites.
Should I become a PT or PTA?
PTs require a doctorate, earn higher salaries, and have more responsibility diagnosing and establishing treatment plans. PTAs typically earn an associate’s degree, implement PT treatment plans, earn median salaries around $60,000, and enjoy strong job growth. Choose the path that matches your career goals, time commitment and budget.
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.