Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Outpatient physical therapist assistant education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an outpatient physical therapist assistant. Outpatient physical therapist assistants usually study physical therapy, medical assisting services, or kinesiology. 68% of outpatient physical therapist assistants hold a associate degree, and 28% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 195 real outpatient physical therapist assistant resumes to see exactly what outpatient physical therapist assistant education sections show.
The most common colleges for outpatient physical therapist assistants are the Baker College and the Baker College.
There are also many online outpatient physical therapist assistant courses to help get the education required to be an outpatient physical therapist assistant.
What education do you need to become an outpatient physical therapist assistant?
What degree do you need to be an outpatient physical therapist assistant?
- Associate, 68%
- Bachelor's, 28%
- Diploma, 2%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become an outpatient physical therapist assistant?
- Physical Therapy, 53%
- Kinesiology, 5%
- Other Majors, 24%
Most common colleges for outpatient physical therapist assistants
| Outpatient physical therapist assistant common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Baker College | 6.90% |
| Texas A&M University | 6.90% |
| South University | 6.90% |
| Bethel College | 6.90% |
| Texas State University | 6.90% |
Best majors for outpatient physical therapist assistants
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Therapy | 52.8% |
| 2 | Medical Assisting Services | 14.6% |
| 3 | Kinesiology | 4.9% |
| 4 | Athletic Training | 3.3% |
| 5 | Psychology | 2.4% |
Best colleges for outpatient physical therapist assistants
The best colleges for outpatient physical therapist assistants are Northwestern University, University of Pittsburgh, and Purdue University.
An outpatient physical therapist assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for outpatient physical therapist assistants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become outpatient physical therapist assistants.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
3. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
4. Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$49,042
Enrollment
5,131
5. Kettering College
Kettering, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$12,960
Enrollment
610
6. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
8. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,730
Enrollment
18,830
9. Clarkson College
Omaha, NE • Private
In-state tuition
$13,392
Enrollment
646
10. Maria College of Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$15,140
Enrollment
876
20 best online courses for outpatient physical therapist assistants
Advertising disclosure
1. Colombian Wood Therapy Course - Maderoterapia
Learn how to use Colombian Wood Therapy to help your clients reduce cellulite and melt fat...
2. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Art Therapy
Therapeutic Art Therapy Course / Masterclass for Healing and Life Coaching...
3. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
4. Tibetan Singing Bowls Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Training
Learn How To Become A Sound Healing Therapist Using Tibetan Bowls. Learn How To Work One-On-One With Clients...
5. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE
Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...
6. Deep Tissue Massage: Neuromuscular Therapy Certificate
Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly effective form of Deep Tissue Massage for pain relief (2 CEUs)...
7. Art Therapy: Art Therapy Exercises For Healing In Life
35 Art Therapy exercises for life happiness & stress management. Art therapy with paintings, art & affirmations...
8. Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy
Learn Solution Focused Therapy To Empower Clients & Improve Outcomes Ideal For Social Workers, Coaches & Therapists...
9. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
10. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
11. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
12. Metacognitive Therapy
Learn MCT, a cognitive psychotherapy based on CBT, that helps clients tackle the root of their anxiety and depression...
13. Colour Therapy Practitioner Certification
Learn to use the power of colour to promote health and wellbeing...
14. Sound Therapy Full Certification Course
Become a holistic professional who knows both Western and Eastern approaches to Sound Therapy!...
15. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art
Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...
16. Reiki and Colour Therapy
Expanding Your Awareness...
17. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Learn ACT: Use cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness to increase psychological flexibility...
18. Professional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Diploma
Fully Accredited CBT Diploma Course. Using easy techniques of CBT for change and freedom!...
19. Fully Accredited Crystal Therapy Healing Diploma Course
An In Depth Diploma Course Understanding & Learning About Crystals & Their Powerful Healing Abilities...
20. (Oxford) Diploma in Art Therapy (Extended Master Course)
Art Therapy : detailed (116 hours) course to help: interpret, express and resolve emotions - in detail...
Top 10 most affordable universities for outpatient physical therapist assistants
The most affordable schools for outpatient physical therapist assistants are Brigham Young University - Idaho, purdue university, and tarleton state university.
If the best universities for outpatient physical therapist assistants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for outpatient physical therapist assistants.
1. Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, ID • Private
In-state tuition
$4,118
Cost of attendance
12,223
2. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
3. Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$7,292
Cost of attendance
20,387
4. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
In-state tuition
$9,283
Cost of attendance
22,243
5. Trident University International
Cypress, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,240
Cost of attendance
17,912
6. Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Alexandria, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,668
Cost of attendance
14,488
7. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Tifton, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$3,503
Cost of attendance
12,843
8. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$9,233
Cost of attendance
18,110
9. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,922
Cost of attendance
20,612
10. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,633
Cost of attendance
19,235
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for outpatient physical therapist assistants
The hardest universities for outpatient physical therapist assistants to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pittsburgh, and Purdue University.
Some great schools for outpatient physical therapist assistants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for outpatient physical therapist assistants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
59%
SAT average
1,367
3. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
4. Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
1,261
5. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
Admissions rate
64%
SAT average
1,132
6. Kettering College
Kettering, OH • Private
Admissions rate
27%
SAT average
1,125
7. Clarkson College
Omaha, NE • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,035
8. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
60%
SAT average
1,303
9. Saint Joseph's College, New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,109
10. Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL • Private
Admissions rate
79%
SAT average
1,196
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for outpatient physical therapist assistants
The easiest schools for outpatient physical therapist assistants to get into are AdventHealth University, clarkson college, and saint joseph's college, new york.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an outpatient physical therapist assistant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for outpatient physical therapist assistants.
1. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
2. Clarkson College
Omaha, NE • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,035
3. Saint Joseph's College, New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,109
4. Louisiana College
Pineville, LA • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,084
5. Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
55%
SAT average
1,056
6. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,102
7. St. Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
Admissions rate
73%
SAT average
1,124
8. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
Admissions rate
64%
SAT average
1,132
9. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
10. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
Average outpatient physical therapist assistant salary by education level
| Outpatient physical therapist assistant education level | Outpatient physical therapist assistant salary |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $53,922 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $56,488 |
Outpatient physical therapist assistant education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare support questions.
Search for outpatient physical therapist assistant jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025