Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree in Waukegan, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Physical Therapy (DPT) degree analysis for Waukegan, IL. 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 Waukegan
Cost of Living
90.3
index (100 = avg)
Physical Therapy (DPT) in Waukegan, IL Overview
While Waukegan has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Physical Therapy (DPT) students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,641/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Physical Therapy (DPT) enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in . The adjusted starting salary in Waukegan is approximately $0.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,641/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,734/yr
Unemployment
5.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Physical Therapy (DPT) Salary in Waukegan (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waukegan's cost of living index of 90.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Physical Therapy (DPT) salary: $0 starting, $0 mid-career, $0 senior level.Waukegan adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Physical Therapy (DPT) ROI Calculator for Waukegan
Estimate your return on investment for a Physical Therapy (DPT) degree using local Waukegan tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Waukegan avg aid: $13,734/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,164
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$-31,605
vs HS diploma in Waukegan
ROI Payback Period
N/A
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waukegan
$-116,164
Lifetime earnings premium ($0) minus total education cost ($116,164)
Student Loan Payoff for Physical Therapy (DPT) in Waukegan
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waukegan for Physical Therapy (DPT)
Waukegan State University
public
$15,619/yr
$62,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waukegan Community College
$4,848/yr
Top Employers for Physical Therapy (DPT) in Waukegan
Waukegan offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waukegan Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Physical Therapy (DPT) Job Titles
Physical Therapy (DPT) in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$0 starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$0 starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$0 starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$0 starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$0 starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$0 starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$0 starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$0 starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Waukegan
Pharmacy
$45K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$45K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$45K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree in Waukegan — 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 Waukegan.