PTA Financial Fact Sheet
2026 program costs, clinical education requirements, financial support information, and student debt data.
2026 PTA Financial Fact Sheet
This financial fact sheet applies to students experiencing the Physical Therapists Assistant Program between Jan. 1, 2026, and Dec. 31, 2026.
Download the PDF
For a printable version, download the 2026 PTA Financial Fact Sheet PDF.
The information from the PDF is also provided below in accessible HTML format.
Program Length
Program length includes all student instruction and interaction, including classroom, laboratory, exams, and clinical education, and includes all weeks where either full or partial attendance is required.
- Length of program excluding breaks
- 46 weeks
- Length of program including breaks
- 52 weeks
Clinical Education
Does this program require all students to complete at least one clinical education experience that may require alternative housing or travel accommodations? Yes.
Students are required to complete three clinical rotations, including a 4-week, 5-week, and 6-week rotation.
Student Costs
Year 1 costs apply to students who enrolled in the program for the first time between Jan. 1, 2026, and Dec. 31, 2026. Annual costs for subsequent years are estimates based on the program's historical annual percentage increase of 2.94%. Students should contact the program for further information related to costs.
| Cost Category | Year 1 | Year 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition - public institution, in-district or in-state student | $4,704 | $7,938 | $12,642 |
| Annual tuition - public institution, out-of-district or out-of-state student | $6,432 | $10,584 | $17,016 |
| Annual tuition - private institution student | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Annual institutional fees for a full-time student in the technical phase | $2,330 | $3,494 | $5,824 |
| Other program-related expenses | $0 | $960 | $960 |
| Total cost of program - in-state | $7,034 | $12,392 | $19,426 |
| Total cost of program - out-of-state | $8,762 | $15,038 | $23,800 |
Institutional fees include general institutional fees such as health insurance and recreation. Other program-related expenses include required texts, laboratory fees, and other program costs for the entire technical program. Total program cost includes tuition, fees, and other program costs for all credits required to earn the PTA degree.
Cost of Living
Students are encouraged to explore the cost of living for areas where they may choose to live. One possible resource is the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
Financial Support
- Financial assistance specific to PTA students: Yes
- Scholarships specific to PTA students: Yes
- Federal work-study positions specific to PTA students: No
Other financial support opportunities may exist at the institution. Please contact the program for further information.
APTA student members are encouraged to visit the APTA Financial Solutions Center.
Student Debt Summary
Programs with fewer than 10 graduates from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, are not required to complete this section. The source document notes that subsidized and unsubsidized loans should be included in total debt to reflect NSLDS total debt.
- Average student debt from the PTA Program technical phase for students who graduated or will graduate between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026
- N/A
- Average student debt after completing the PTA program for students who graduated or will graduate between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026, including all student loan debt
- N/A
Copyright 2026 American Physical Therapy Association. All rights reserved.