Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree in San Diego, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Physical Therapy (DPT) degree analysis for San Diego, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$0
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$0
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
N/A
in San Diego
Cost of Living
140
index (100 = avg)
Physical Therapy (DPT) in San Diego, CA Overview
San Diego is one of California's top college towns, with 68 institutions and a student population of 142,542. Public tuition averages $10,911/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Physical Therapy (DPT) enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in . The adjusted starting salary in San Diego is approximately $0.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
68
Public Tuition
$10,911/yr
Private Tuition
$54,140/yr
Room & Board
$12,766/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,600/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
63%
Physical Therapy (DPT) Salary in San Diego (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for San Diego's cost of living index of 140 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Physical Therapy (DPT) salary: $0 starting, $0 mid-career, $0 senior level.San Diego adjustment factor: 1.40x based on the local cost of living index.
Physical Therapy (DPT) ROI Calculator for San Diego
Estimate your return on investment for a Physical Therapy (DPT) degree using local San Diego tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,911 | Private avg: $54,140
San Diego avg aid: $13,600/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$-49,000
vs HS diploma in San Diego
ROI Payback Period
N/A
to break even
Lifetime Return in San Diego
$-94,708
Lifetime earnings premium ($0) minus total education cost ($94,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Physical Therapy (DPT) in San Diego
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in San Diego for Physical Therapy (DPT)
UC San Diego
public
$14,312/yr
$57,248 total
San Diego State University
public
$7,510/yr
$30,040 total
University of San Diego
private
$54,140/yr
$216,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
San Diego City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Physical Therapy (DPT) in San Diego
San Diego offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key San Diego Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Physical Therapy (DPT) Job Titles
Physical Therapy (DPT) in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$0 starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Jose, CA
$0 starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$0 starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$0 starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$0 starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$0 starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$0 starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Bakersfield, CA
$0 starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in San Diego
Pharmacy
$70K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$70K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$95K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$70K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$70K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$70K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$70K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$70K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree in San Diego — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Physical Therapy (DPT) ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in San Diego.