Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree in Kansas City, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Physical Therapy (DPT) degree analysis for Kansas City, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Reviewed May 21, 2026. DegreeCalc calculators are educational planning tools; verify final tuition, aid, transcript, loan, and employment decisions with official school, federal, servicer, or employer records.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$83K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
in Kansas City
Cost of Living
82.5
index (100 = avg)
Physical Therapy (DPT) in Kansas City, KS Overview
Kansas City, Kansas (pop. 156,607) has 6 local education-market benchmark points for Physical Therapy (DPT) planning. The local cost of living index of 82.5 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $405/month. Physical Therapy (DPT) has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Biomechanics and Therapeutic Exercise skills. The adjusted starting salary in Kansas City is approximately $66,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Benchmarks
6
Public Tuition
$10,000/yr
Private Tuition
$28,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,267/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,093/yr
Unemployment (est.)
2.9%
Graduation Rate (est.)
61%
How to Study Physical Therapy (DPT) in Kansas City: Campus, Online, or Transfer
Students searching for a Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in Kansas City, KS usually need a practical path, not just a salary estimate. Use the three options below to compare local cost, credential quality, and flexibility before applying.
Nearby Campus Path
Start with NCES College Navigator and each school's catalog. Confirm the program name, degree level, tuition, graduation rate, internship support, and whether the Physical Therapy (DPT) major is actually offered at that campus.
Online Degree Path
Physical Therapy (DPT) is not always a clean fully-online fit. Look for hybrid programs and ask whether required labs, clinics, studios, or field placements can be completed near Kansas City.
Transfer-Cost Path
Community college tuition near Kansas City averages $5,644/year in this model. A 2+2 transfer plan can reduce debt if the receiving university accepts credits into the Physical Therapy (DPT) major.
We intentionally avoid listing unverified local school names on this page. Always verify programs with official school catalogs, NCES/IPEDS, and financial aid offices before applying.
Physical Therapy (DPT) Salary in Kansas City (COL-Adjusted)
Modeled salaries: national benchmarks for the major scaled by an estimated Kansas City cost of living index of 82.5 (national average = 100). These are not measured local wages.
Note: National Physical Therapy (DPT) salary benchmarks used by this model: $80,000 starting, $101,020 mid-career, $132,500 senior level.Kansas City adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.
Physical Therapy (DPT) ROI Calculator for Kansas City
Estimate your return on investment for a Physical Therapy (DPT) degree using DegreeCalc's modeled Kansas City tuition and cost of living estimates.
Public est.: $10,000 | Private est.: $28,000
Kansas City est. aid: $14,093/yr
Federal undergrad (2026-27): 6.52% | Private rates vary by credit
Total Education Cost
$93,068
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$37,125
vs HS diploma in Kansas City
ROI Payback Period
2.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kansas City
$690,682
Lifetime earnings premium ($783,750) minus total education cost ($93,068)
Student Loan Payoff for Physical Therapy (DPT) in Kansas City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Kansas City Education Cost Inputs for Physical Therapy (DPT)
This local ROI model uses aggregate tuition, aid, housing, and cost-of-living inputs for Kansas City, not a ranked list of individual schools. Confirm any specific program with NCES College Navigator or the school before applying.
Local benchmarks
6
Public tuition
$10,000/yr
Private tuition
$28,000/yr
Community college
$5,644/yr
Top Employers for Physical Therapy (DPT) in Kansas City
Typical hiring sectors for Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates include Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices; these are general sector categories, not a verified list of Kansas City employers. Common employer types nationally include:
Typical Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Physical Therapy (DPT) Job Titles
Other Healthcare Majors in Kansas City
Pharmacy
$41K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Pre-Med / Biology
$37K starting · 8.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$41K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$56K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$41K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$41K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$41K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$41K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we estimate Physical Therapy (DPT) degree outcomes in Kansas City, KS: This page is a planning model. It combines DegreeCalc's national salary benchmarks for the major with internal city-level estimates for tuition, room and board, aid, unemployment, graduation rate, and cost of living. The figures are not official statistics for Kansas City and are not pulled directly from federal datasets for this city.
- Tuition defaults to the modeled Kansas City public tuition estimate (not program-specific Physical Therapy (DPT) tuition). Verify actual program prices in IPEDS / College Navigator.
- Salary estimates multiply the national benchmark for Physical Therapy (DPT) by the estimated Kansas City cost of living index divided by 100. This is a simple scaling assumption, not BLS local wage data.
- Payback period = (tuition + room and board − aid over the years of study) ÷ (adjusted starting salary − a $35,000 high school benchmark scaled by the same index). Lifetime return = the major's lifetime earnings premium benchmark scaled by the index, minus that net cost. Loan interest is shown separately and is not subtracted.
- Job market outlook is not projected on this page; see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for official 10-year projections.
- Default rates are not modeled here; College Scorecard reports repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Physical Therapy (DPT) career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Physical Therapy (DPT) grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Tobias Merrick · Last updated 2026 · Model estimates; verify with the official sources above
Financial Aid Resources for Kansas City Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Kansas students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The Department of Education has begun showing lower-earnings warnings for some programs on the FAFSA, and a federal earnings accountability test for Direct Loan eligibility takes effect July 1, 2027 — check your target program's outcomes:
Pell Grant maximum is set each award year. Undergraduate Direct Loans at 6.52% (first disbursed July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Kansas programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "kansas higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
FAFSA tip: Check any lower-earnings warning and the program's College Scorecard earnings data before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree in Kansas City — FAQ
What is the starting salary for Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates in Kansas City?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $66,000 per year for Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates in Kansas City, KS. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($80,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 82.5, so the local estimate is 18% lower than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Physical Therapy (DPT) degree worth it in Kansas City?
A Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in Kansas City has an estimated ROI payback period of 2.5 years, with a projected lifetime return of $690,682 after subtracting education costs. With 6 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $10,000/year, Kansas City offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 2.9% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 1.4% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Physical Therapy (DPT) in Kansas City?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Kansas City at about $10,000 per year and private university tuition at about $28,000/year. Including estimated room and board ($13,267/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $93,068 at a public school to $165,068 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $14,093/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Physical Therapy (DPT) online while living in Kansas City?
Physical Therapy (DPT) is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Kansas City, KS should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates get in Kansas City?
Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates in Kansas City can pursue careers as Physical Therapist, Clinical Physical Therapist, Sports Rehabilitation Specialist, Home Health Physical Therapist. Skills commonly associated with this field include Biomechanics, Therapeutic Exercise, Clinical Assessment, Patient Education. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices; verify which of these are active in Kansas City with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include Outpatient therapy clinics, Hospitals, Home healthcare providers.
How long to pay off student loans for Physical Therapy (DPT) in Kansas City?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates in Kansas City would pay $1,057/month on an estimated $93,068 in loans, with $33,744 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,821/month but save $17,553 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $66,000, monthly payments would represent 19% of gross monthly income.
Data note: Salary, tuition, aid, and cost-of-living figures on this page are DegreeCalc planning estimates, not official values. For official data, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, BLS Regional Data, and NCES/IPEDS.
Explore More
Compare Physical Therapy (DPT) ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Kansas City.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates in Kansas City?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $66,000 per year for Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates in Kansas City, KS. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($80,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 82.5, so the local estimate is 18% lower than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Physical Therapy (DPT) degree worth it in Kansas City?
A Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in Kansas City has an estimated ROI payback period of 2.5 years, with a projected lifetime return of $690,682 after subtracting education costs. With 6 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $10,000/year, Kansas City offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 2.9% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 1.4% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Physical Therapy (DPT) in Kansas City?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Kansas City at about $10,000 per year and private university tuition at about $28,000/year. Including estimated room and board ($13,267/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $93,068 at a public school to $165,068 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $14,093/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Physical Therapy (DPT) online while living in Kansas City?
Physical Therapy (DPT) is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Kansas City, KS should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates get in Kansas City?
Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates in Kansas City can pursue careers as Physical Therapist, Clinical Physical Therapist, Sports Rehabilitation Specialist, Home Health Physical Therapist. Skills commonly associated with this field include Biomechanics, Therapeutic Exercise, Clinical Assessment, Patient Education. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices; verify which of these are active in Kansas City with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include Outpatient therapy clinics, Hospitals, Home healthcare providers.
How long to pay off student loans for Physical Therapy (DPT) in Kansas City?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates in Kansas City would pay $1,057/month on an estimated $93,068 in loans, with $33,744 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,821/month but save $17,553 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $66,000, monthly payments would represent 19% of gross monthly income.