In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for staff physical therapy assistants. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs. non-working students 10 years after admission, average cost of attendance and median debt for graduates.
Best Colleges And Majors For Staff Physical Therapy Assistants
Best Colleges For Staff Physical Therapy Assistants
1. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-State Tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
2. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
3. Kettering College
Kettering, OH • Private
In-State Tuition
$12,960
Enrollment
610
4. Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH • Private
In-State Tuition
$49,042
Enrollment
5,131
5. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
In-State Tuition
$15,730
Enrollment
18,830
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
7. Maria College of Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$15,140
Enrollment
876
8. Clarkson College
Omaha, NE • Private
In-State Tuition
$13,392
Enrollment
646
9. Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Roanoke, VA • Private
In-State Tuition
$26,886
Enrollment
774
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
Staff Physical Therapy Assistant Education Requirements
The education needed to be a staff physical therapy assistant is normally a associate degree. Staff physical therapy assistants usually study physical therapy, medical assisting services or kinesiology. 47% of staff physical therapy assistants hold a associate degree and 37% hold a bachelor's degree. We found these by analyzing 4,357 staff physical therapy assistant resumes to investigate the topic of staff physical therapy assistant education more precisely.
The most common colleges for students to pursue their goal of becoming a staff physical therapy assistant are Pennsylvania State University and South University. We also broke down what colleges provide the best overall education for a staff physical therapy assistant. Students have a great path to earning their staff physical therapy assistant qualifications at the following schools:
- University of Virginia
- Emory University
- Kettering College
If you're interested in getting a college degree in an affordable college for staff physical therapy assistants - SUNY Farmingdale is an excellent option for you. If your SAT or ACT score aren't as high as you'd like, you can look at AdventHealth University, as the admission requirements aren't too selective. On the other end of that spectrum are the University of Virginia, New York University and Case Western Reserve University.
For those who would rather stay in your pajamas during the day, we prepared some online courses that can help in staff physical therapy assistant education paths.
We prepared a list of a staff physical therapy assistant certifications that you should consider. The necessary certifications that staff physical therapy assistants must have to succeed are Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
What Education Do You Need To Become a Staff Physical Therapy Assistant?
What degree do you need to be a Staff Physical Therapy Assistant?
The most common degree for staff physical therapy assistants is associate degree 47% of staff physical therapy assistants earn that degree. A close second is bachelor's degree with 37% and rounding it off is high school diploma with 5%.
- Associate, 47%
- Bachelors, 37%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Masters, 4%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What Should I Major in to Become a Staff Physical Therapy Assistant?
Most staff physical therapy assistants, 34% to be exact, major in physical therapy. Some other common majors for a staff physical therapy assistant include medical assisting services and kinesiology majors.
- Physical Therapy, 34%
- Kinesiology, 10%
- Biology, 4%
- Other Majors, 28%
Most Common Colleges For Staff Physical Therapy Assistants
Here are the most common colleges for a staff physical therapy assistant career in the US based on their resumes. Advocates often get their degree in Pennsylvania State University, South University, and Newbury College .
| Staff Physical Therapy Assistant Common College | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 9.66% |
| South University | 9.66% |
| Newbury College | 9.18% |
| Kent State University | 7.73% |
| Pima Medical Institute | 6.76% |
Best Majors For Staff Physical Therapy Assistants
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Therapy | 34.0% |
| 2 | Medical Assisting Services | 23.8% |
| 3 | Kinesiology | 10.2% |
| 4 | Biology | 3.8% |
| 5 | Business | 3.6% |
20 Best Online Courses for Staff Physical Therapy Assistants
Advertising Disclosure
1. Managing Your Health: The Role of Physical Therapy and Exercise
Managing Your Health: The Role of Physical Therapy and Exercise will introduce learners to the concepts and benefits of physical therapy and exercise. Over six weeks learners will explore: Why physical activity and exercise are important, Exercise and Cardiovascular Disease, Exercise and Osteoporosis, Exercise and Cancer, Common Sports Injuries, Exercise and Arthritis...
2. Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy Course 101...
3. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course
Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...
4. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Art Therapy
Become Professional Art Therapist with this Therapeutic Art Therapy Course / Masterclass for Healing and Life Coaching...
5. Professional Cupping Therapy & Massage
Professional and comprehensive course of cupping techniques and applications...
6. Sound Therapy Full Certification Course
Become a holistic professional who knows both Western and Eastern approaches to Sound Therapy!...
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 CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
9. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
10. The Complete EMDR Therapy Course - Accredited Certification
International EMDR Training for Self-Healing, Trauma Therapy, Childhood Healing, PTSD, Grief, and Counseling...
11. Bowen Therapy NO MASSAGE Healing Certificate Course (8CEU)
An incredible NO MASSAGE remedial therapy for massage therapists or anyone else that wants to learn how to heal people...
12. Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy
Learn Solution Focused Therapy To Empower Clients & Improve Outcomes Ideal For Social Workers, Coaches & Therapists...
13. (Nov. 2022)The MOST Extensive, Accredited, Art Therapy.
Everything you need to heal yourself - and heal others. Workbooks. hundreds of Art Therapy exercises. active Q/A...
14. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Associate Life Coach
CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Life Coaching Associate Coach Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching...
15. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Practitioner Course
Become a Certified Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Practitioner and elevate your understanding of human behaviour...
16. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art
Arts Therapy heals! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises. With Certificate Upon Completion...
17. Learn Chinese Cupping Therapy: Release Muscle Tension Fast
Easy To Understand, Quick To Learn, Clear Instruction, Lifetime Access...
18. Fully Accredited Professional Colour Therapy Diploma Course
Fully Accredited Diploma Course - Using the power of Color For Positive & Strong Effects In Your Or Your Clients Life!...
19. Dyslexia Therapy for Self Help or as a Career
Dyslexia Therapy as a Self-Help Model for Dyslexics & Dyslexia Therapy as a Career...
20. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
Top 10 Affordable Universities For Staff Physical Therapy Assistants
If those top 10 were a bit out of your price range, you might want to check these schools instead. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price and mean earnings after 6 years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for staff physical therapy assistants.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,306
Cost of Attendance
16,091
2. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,992
Cost of Attendance
22,430
3. Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Alexandria, LA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,668
Cost of Attendance
14,488
4. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,182
Cost of Attendance
13,998
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,620
Cost of Attendance
18,136
6. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,233
Cost of Attendance
18,110
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,872
Cost of Attendance
13,476
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,914
Cost of Attendance
13,564
9. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,283
Cost of Attendance
22,243
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,940
Cost of Attendance
13,508
Top 10 Hardest Universities To Get Into For Staff Physical Therapy Assistants
Some people like a challenge. Well, we challenge you to get into one of these schools. It's not going to be easy. We know this based on these institutions' admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted and mean earnings of students 6 years after admission.
1. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions Rate
26%
SAT Average
1,427
2. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
20%
SAT Average
1,419
3. Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions Rate
29%
SAT Average
1,443
4. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions Rate
19%
SAT Average
1,449
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions Rate
58%
SAT Average
1,309
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
7. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
59%
SAT Average
1,367
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions Rate
10%
SAT Average
1,514
9. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
29%
SAT Average
1,422
10. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ • Private
Admissions Rate
60%
SAT Average
1,303
Top 10 Easier To Apply Universities For Staff Physical Therapy Assistants
Why make getting a job harder on yourself than it has to be? With these colleges, you're sure to be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores and average salary of students 6 years after graduation in order to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into.
1. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions Rate
87%
SAT Average
1,016
2. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions Rate
88%
SAT Average
1,044
3. Pennsylvania State University - Shenango
Sharon, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
75%
SAT Average
989
4. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)
Lemont Furnace, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
80%
SAT Average
1,067
5. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
100%
SAT Average
1,072
6. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions Rate
71%
SAT Average
1,033
7. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions Rate
97%
SAT Average
1,050
8. Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park, MD • Private
Admissions Rate
52%
SAT Average
958
9. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
98%
SAT Average
999
10. Methodist College
Peoria, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
39%
SAT Average
1,015
Average Staff Physical Therapy Assistant Salary by Education Level
Staff physical therapy assistants with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $54,580 annually. With a Bachelors degree, staff physical therapy assistants earn a median annual income of $51,786.
| Staff Physical Therapy Assistant Education Level | Staff Physical Therapy Assistant Salary |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,786 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $54,580 |