NPTE Pass Rates by School 2026: Every DPT Program, Searchable

FSBPT publishes NPTE pass rates in several different reports, each counting a different group of people in a different way. This page puts the most useful ones together: national trends from 2021 to 2025, and first-time and ultimate pass rates for 299 physical therapist programs in one table you can search.

What is the NPTE pass rate?

In 2025, 85% of US-educated candidates passed the NPTE-PT on their first attempt, according to FSBPT. The first-time pass rate for candidates educated outside the US was 39%, and 82% overall. Counting retakes, 98% of 2024 graduates of accredited US programs have passed.

The national figures come from FSBPT's Exam Year Reports, which count everyone who tested in a calendar year, and its Graduation Year Reports, which follow one graduating class. FSBPT updates both every May with the previous year's results.

85%first-time, US-educated (2025)

39%first-time, educated outside the US (2025)

98%ultimate, 2024 US graduates

87.4%median program first-time rate (2024–25 grads)

NPTE-PT pass rates 2021–2025

NPTE first-time pass rates by exam year
Exam year	PT, US-educated	PT, educated outside the US	PT, all candidates	PTA, all candidates
2025	85%	39%	82%	79%
2024	86%	39%	82%	76%
2023	84%	40%	80%	81%
2022	85%	41%	82%	79%
2021	89%	45%	87%	80%

Two patterns hold every year. US-educated first-time pass rates stay in a narrow band, between 84% and 89%. And the gap between US-educated candidates and those educated outside the US is large and persistent, at more than 40 percentage points in every year shown.

First-time vs ultimate pass rate: what's the difference?

First-time pass rate is the share of candidates who passed on their first attempt. It's the best single measure of how well a program prepares students for this exam.
Ultimate pass rate is the share of a graduating class who eventually passed, however many attempts it took. For accredited US programs it's very high: 98% for 2024 graduates and 99% for 2023.

The ultimate rate is also what accreditation is judged on. CAPTE's accreditation standards require that a program's "ultimate licensure pass rates are at least 85%, averaged over two years."

Graduates of accredited US PT programs, by graduation year
Graduation year	First-time pass rate	Ultimate pass rate
2025	85%	not yet reported
2024	85%	98%
2023	85%	99%
2022	85%	99%
2021	88%	99%

NPTE pass rates by school

Across the 299 physical therapist programs in FSBPT's latest report, the median two-year first-time pass rate for 2024–2025 graduates is 87.4%. 118 programs are at 90% or higher, and 36 are below 70%. Weighted by the 25,206 graduates who tested, the rate is 85.3%.

Search by school name or filter by state. Click a column heading to sort. First-time rates are from FSBPT's Two-Year First-Time Pass Rates by School report (March 04, 2026 data, 2024–2025 graduates). Ultimate rates are the weighted average ultimate pass rates in FSBPT's NPTE Pass Rates By Program report (2023–2024 graduates). FSBPT doesn't report a rate where fewer than five graduates tested, or, for ultimate rates, where a program has fewer than two graduating classes.

NPTE-PT pass rates by program

AL	University of Alabama at Birmingham	88.7	106	99.0
AL	University of South Alabama	94.9	78	98.7
AL	Alabama State University	75.0	44	89.4
AL	Samford University	94.6	74	100.0
AL	Faulkner University	56.3	64	–
AR	University of Central Arkansas	91.1	112	100.0
AR	Arkansas State University	78.6	56	100.0
AR	Harding University	97.7	43	100.0
AR	University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences	100.0	50	100.0
AR	Arkansas Colleges of Health Education	63.6	66	–
AZ	Northern Arizona University	84.8	92	98.9
AZ	A.T. Still University of Health Sciences	84.4	109	100.0
AZ	Franklin Pierce University - AZ	56.5	115	94.4
AZ	Northern Arizona University - EXPANSION PROGRAM in PHOENIX	87.5	96	100.0
AZ	Midwestern University - AZ	78.6	103	97.0
AZ	Creighton University-Arizona Health Education Alliance	81.0	42	–
AZ	Tufts University – Phoenix	56.4	101	–
AZ	Northern Arizona University - Hybrid Expansion Program	55.6	27	–
CA	California State University, Fresno	95.2	63	100.0
CA	California State University, Long Beach	98.6	71	100.0
CA	California State University, Northridge	94.7	57	98.3
CA	Chapman University	91.0	156	98.7
CA	Loma Linda University	85.4	103	99.1
CA	Mount Saint Mary's University	79.1	43	100.0
CA	University of CA / San Francisco State University	88.4	95	100.0
CA	University of The Pacific	82.2	73	97.2
CA	University of Southern California	88.0	192	99.5
CA	Samuel Merritt University	78.3	92	98.9
CA	Western University of Health Sciences - California	81.8	99	100.0
CA	California State University, Sacramento	95.2	63	98.4
CA	University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - California	78.1	334	98.6
CA	Azusa Pacific University	77.0	126	99.3
CA	University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - ONLINE FLEX EXPANSION PROGRAM in San Diego	68.3	104	97.0
CA	San Diego State University	94.6	74	98.7
CA	West Coast University	80.5	77	97.5
CA	University of Southern California – Hybrid DPT Program	76.1	88	96.9
CO	University of Colorado	91.4	140	99.3
CO	Regis University	83.2	161	98.8
CT	Quinnipiac University	97.7	131	100.0
CT	University of Connecticut	91.5	59	100.0
CT	University of Hartford	91.8	73	100.0
CT	Sacred Heart University	90.3	134	100.0
DC	Howard University	80.0	5	100.0
DC	George Washington University	97.7	85	100.0
DE	University of Delaware	94.6	112	100.0
FL	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	70.7	41	95.6
FL	Florida International University	91.1	123	97.5
FL	University of Florida	89.7	146	99.3
FL	University of Miami	89.6	115	98.2
FL	University of North Florida	77.2	57	98.3
FL	University of Central Florida	98.6	71	100.0
FL	Nova Southeastern University - Ft Lauderdale	98.8	83	100.0
FL	University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - Florida	82.7	254	98.9
FL	Florida Gulf Coast University	100.0	57	100.0
FL	University of South Florida	98.9	92	100.0
FL	Nova Southeastern University - Tampa	97.3	73	100.0
FL	University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - ONLINE FLEX EXPANSION PROGRAM in Florida	69.6	92	95.1
FL	University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - EXPANSION PROGRAM in Miami	67.4	215	96.2
FL	Gannon University - Florida	75.9	54	98.0
FL	AdventHealth University	79.0	38	100.0
FL	Florida Southern College	85.7	63	95.6
GA	Emory University	92.8	111	99.2
GA	Georgia State University	96.3	82	100.0
GA	Augusta University	97.4	77	98.6
GA	University of North Georgia	91.2	57	100.0
GA	Georgia Southern University	98.6	69	98.5
GA	Mercer University	91.8	73	100.0
GA	Brenau University	94.9	79	100.0
GA	Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine	81.3	75	100.0
GA	South College – Atlanta	48.7	74	–
GBR	Robert Gordon University - DPT	<5 tested	–	–
HI	Hawaii Pacific University	67.4	187	–
IA	University of Iowa	98.9	93	100.0
IA	Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center	92.6	163	100.0
IA	St Ambrose University	97.1	69	100.0
IA	Clarke University	88.0	50	100.0
IA	Briar Cliff University	75.9	58	96.4
IA	Allen College	53.9	13	100.0
ID	Idaho State University	92.5	93	100.0
IL	Northern Illinois University	79.3	53	98.1
IL	Northwestern University	89.0	181	99.4
IL	Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science	89.0	82	98.9
IL	University of Illinois at Chicago	89.6	115	100.0
IL	Bradley University	88.7	53	100.0
IL	Midwestern University - IL	93.8	96	98.9
IL	Governors State University	68.5	54	94.9
IL	North Central College	56.1	41	–
IN	Indiana University	97.5	81	100.0
IN	University of Evansville	92.7	96	100.0
IN	University of Indianapolis	85.3	95	97.8
IN	Trine University	100.0	72	100.0
IN	Indiana State University	94.6	55	100.0
IN	Hanover College	72.8	169	84.8
IN	Indiana Wesleyan University	63.2	38	–
KS	University of Kansas Medical Center	80.9	115	99.2
KS	Wichita State University	95.0	80	100.0
KS	University of Saint Mary	88.9	72	100.0
KY	University of Kentucky	92.4	119	100.0
KY	Bellarmine University	80.2	136	99.3
KY	Western Kentucky University	95.1	61	98.3
KY	University of the Cumberlands	51.9	27	–
LA	Louisiana State Univ Health Sciences Center - New Orleans	86.2	65	98.4
LA	Louisiana State Univ Health Sciences Center - Shreveport	97.1	68	100.0
LA	Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University	85.1	67	98.7
MA	Boston University	95.4	129	98.5
MA	Northeastern University	85.6	167	98.5
MA	Simmons University	86.8	76	98.7
MA	Springfield College	98.7	78	97.5
MA	University of Massachusetts Lowell	89.7	68	100.0
MA	MGH Institute of Health Professions	78.5	130	99.3
MA	American International College	84.1	44	96.2
MA	MCPHS University	83.9	62	98.5
MA	Tufts University	66.7	72	–
MD	University of Maryland - Baltimore	80.6	139	97.1
MD	University of Maryland - Eastern Shore	94.8	58	100.0
ME	University of New England	84.0	100	100.0
ME	Husson University	82.9	70	98.5
MI	Andrews University	71.0	69	97.0
MI	Grand Valley State University	92.2	116	100.0
MI	Oakland University	86.1	72	100.0
MI	University of Michigan - Flint	83.2	101	95.5
MI	Wayne State University	94.3	70	100.0
MI	Central Michigan University	94.9	79	98.9
MI	Central Michigan University - EXPANSION PROGRAM at Michigan Technological University	64.7	17	100.0
MI	Western Michigan University	79.3	53	100.0
MI	Concordia University – Ann Arbor	29.4	17	–
MN	College of St Scholastica	84.7	98	97.9
MN	Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences	98.2	55	100.0
MN	University of Minnesota	88.4	121	100.0
MN	St. Catherine University	97.0	66	100.0
MN	Concordia University - Saint Paul	90.5	63	98.4
MO	Maryville University of Saint Louis	94.2	69	100.0
MO	Rockhurst University	69.6	92	96.6
MO	Saint Louis University	91.6	154	100.0
MO	University of Missouri	95.5	110	99.1
MO	Washington University in St Louis	84.1	176	97.9
MO	Southwest Baptist University	72.6	124	97.1
MO	Missouri State University	93.3	75	100.0
MO	Graceland University	50.0	10	–
MS	University of Mississippi at the Medical Center	91.8	85	100.0
MS	William Carey University	95.0	40	100.0
MT	University of Montana - Missoula	90.4	73	98.7
NC	Duke University	89.1	193	98.9
NC	East Carolina University	98.3	59	100.0
NC	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	95.1	61	100.0
NC	Winston-Salem State University	78.7	47	98.1
NC	Western Carolina University	85.1	94	97.8
NC	Elon University	88.8	80	97.7
NC	Campbell University	83.8	80	100.0
NC	Wingate University	93.4	76	100.0
NC	High Point University	84.3	127	98.4
NC	Methodist University	75.0	72	98.6
ND	University of North Dakota	85.7	91	100.0
ND	University of Mary	81.0	79	98.9
ND	University of Jamestown	84.6	65	100.0
NE	University of Nebraska Medical Center	92.8	125	100.0
NE	Creighton University	88.9	153	100.0
NE	College of St. Mary	79.2	24	81.2
NH	Franklin Pierce University - NH	74.5	106	98.2
NH	Plymouth State University	83.7	49	100.0
NJ	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey	85.1	134	99.2
NJ	Stockton University	76.2	63	96.7
NJ	Seton Hall University	94.2	69	100.0
NJ	Kean University	89.7	39	100.0
NM	University of New Mexico	100.0	47	100.0
NV	University of Nevada, Las Vegas	94.9	97	99.0
NV	Touro University - Nevada	83.8	68	100.0
NY	Columbia University	95.5	134	100.0
NY	Daemen University	94.2	121	99.2
NY	Hunter College (CUNY)	93.0	57	100.0
NY	Ithaca College	91.4	139	99.3
NY	Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus	81.9	72	98.7
NY	New York University	74.0	73	93.6
NY	Russell Sage College	86.8	68	98.7
NY	University at Buffalo, State University of New York	88.4	86	97.6
NY	SUNY (State University of NY) Downstate Health Sciences University	86.0	50	100.0
NY	Stony Brook University	91.6	83	100.0
NY	State University of NY Upstate Medical University	83.3	72	100.0
NY	Touro University	79.4	63	100.0
NY	D'youville College	72.1	68	97.6
NY	The College of Staten Island	89.7	39	100.0
NY	Mercy University	75.6	41	98.8
NY	New York Medical College	69.3	88	95.5
NY	Utica University	74.6	67	97.0
NY	New York Institute of Technology	82.1	56	97.0
NY	Clarkson University	70.6	34	97.1
NY	Nazareth University	91.6	95	100.0
NY	Dominican University New York	79.4	34	100.0
NY	Touro University - EXPANSION PROGRAM at NYC	83.1	59	100.0
NY	Stony Brook University - Expansion Program at Southampton Campus	85.2	54	100.0
NY	Marist College	88.1	42	100.0
OH	Cleveland State University	89.6	67	98.6
OH	University of Toledo	92.6	54	97.6
OH	Ohio University	92.1	89	100.0
OH	Ohio State University	97.9	93	100.0
OH	University of Findlay - Weekend	95.5	66	98.5
OH	University of Cincinnati	94.7	113	98.7
OH	Youngstown State University	85.3	68	94.9
OH	Mount St Joseph University	92.4	66	98.6
OH	Walsh University	86.5	74	100.0
OH	University of Findlay - Traditional	85.0	40	100.0
OH	University of Dayton	84.5	71	98.5
OH	University of Mount Union	67.3	55	100.0
OH	Bowling Green State University	55.6	135	–
OK	Langston University	69.2	26	96.0
OK	University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center	87.0	131	94.7
OK	Oklahoma City University	62.0	50	92.6
OR	Pacific University	84.9	99	100.0
OR	George Fox University	87.4	87	100.0
OR	Western University of Health Sciences - Oregon	69.6	92	–
OR	Oregon State University - Cascades	92.9	85	–
PA	Arcadia University	76.6	124	100.0
PA	Drexel University	98.3	118	100.0
PA	Saint Joseph's University	80.7	109	97.7
PA	Temple University	87.5	104	99.1
PA	Thomas Jefferson University	90.2	112	99.0
PA	University of Pittsburgh	95.9	123	97.5
PA	University of Scranton	96.1	76	98.7
PA	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	83.8	99	98.0
PA	Duquesne University	86.7	60	98.6
PA	Gannon University - Pennsylvania	83.8	80	100.0
PA	Misericordia University	93.4	76	97.6
PA	Chatham University	85.5	69	100.0
PA	Widener University	94.8	77	100.0
PA	Neumann University	67.2	61	96.9
PA	Saint Francis University	97.8	46	100.0
PA	Lebanon Valley College	87.4	95	100.0
PA	Alvernia University	70.8	48	96.4
PA	DeSales University	92.2	51	100.0
PA	Messiah University	80.7	62	93.4
PA	Arcadia University - Online Hybrid DPT Program	69.6	125	96.0
PA	Moravian University	73.8	42	95.7
PA	Seton Hill University	42.6	47	–
PA	University of Pittsburgh - Expansion Program	62.2	164	–
PR	University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus	69.4	36	94.7
RI	University of Rhode Island	89.2	65	98.3
SC	Medical University of South Carolina	89.6	134	99.2
SC	University of South Carolina - Columbia	88.9	54	100.0
SC	Anderson University	96.1	51	98.7
SC	Charleston Southern University	67.8	90	–
SD	University of South Dakota	90.5	63	95.3
SD	Augustana University	77.6	67	–
TN	University of Tennessee Health Science Center	85.3	109	99.2
TN	Tennessee State University	93.8	64	98.5
TN	University of Tennessee - Chattanooga	95.5	67	100.0
TN	East Tennessee State University	88.4	69	100.0
TN	Belmont University	89.7	107	98.2
TN	South College - Knoxville	72.7	351	98.1
TN	Lincoln Memorial University	61.6	112	–
TX	Texas State University	93.0	86	98.8
TX	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center	95.3	127	100.0
TX	Texas Woman's University - EXPANSION PROGRAM in Houston	95.1	101	100.0
TX	University of Texas at San Antonio	96.7	92	100.0
TX	University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston	97.7	88	100.0
TX	Army - Baylor University	98.3	59	100.0
TX	University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center	97.1	68	100.0
TX	Hardin-Simmons University	94.4	71	100.0
TX	University of Texas at El Paso	93.8	64	100.0
TX	Angelo State University	100.0	53	100.0
TX	University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - Austin	81.6	271	97.8
TX	Texas Woman's University	100.0	92	100.0
TX	University of North Texas Health Science Center - Fort Worth	86.6	82	98.9
TX	University of St Augustine for Health Sciences - ONLINE FLEX EXPANSION PROGRAM in Austin	73.6	87	95.5
TX	University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston - BRIDGE PROGRAM FOR PTAs	90.8	65	100.0
TX	University of the Incarnate Word	84.4	90	100.0
TX	University of Mary Hardin-Baylor	86.2	65	98.5
TX	Baylor University	90.1	171	100.0
TX	University of St. Augustine - Dallas	69.1	84	100.0
TX	University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston - Hybrid Expansion Program	92.9	56	–
UT	University of Utah	85.1	94	100.0
UT	Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions	82.2	197	99.0
UT	University of Utah - Expansion Program One	100.0	11	–
VA	Old Dominion University	96.2	79	97.6
VA	Virginia Commonwealth University	92.1	114	99.1
VA	Shenandoah University	84.0	75	100.0
VA	Marymount University	72.7	77	98.6
VA	Hampton University	55.6	27	100.0
VA	University of Lynchburg	81.9	83	100.0
VA	Radford University	92.6	54	98.2
VA	Shenandoah University - EXPANSION PROGRAM at Northern Virginia Campus	80.6	36	100.0
VA	Mary Baldwin University	74.1	58	100.0
VA	Emory and Henry College	80.8	52	96.6
VT	University of Vermont	83.1	65	100.0
WA	Eastern Washington University	93.3	75	100.0
WA	University of Puget Sound	80.6	72	98.5
WA	University of Washington	91.3	92	100.0
WA	Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences	67.9	28	–
WA	Whitworth University	70.6	17	–
WI	Concordia University Wisconsin - Expansion Program	71.4	14	–
WI	Bellin College	78.3	23	–
WI	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point	84.5	58	–
WI	Marquette University	89.1	138	100.0
WI	University of Wisconsin - Lacrosse	98.8	86	100.0
WI	University of Wisconsin - Madison	98.7	77	100.0
WI	Concordia University Wisconsin	91.5	47	100.0
WI	Carroll University	89.5	143	98.7
WI	University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee	96.2	53	100.0
WV	West Virginia University	97.2	72	100.0
WV	Wheeling University	76.2	21	97.4
WV	Marshall University	96.7	61	100.0

First-time: 2024–2025 graduates, FSBPT data current as of March 04, 2026. Ultimate: 2023–2024 graduates. A dash means FSBPT didn't report a rate for that period, usually because the program is new or fewer than five graduates tested.

How to read a program's pass rate

Check the number tested. A 100% rate from 20 graduates and an 88% rate from 190 are not the same kind of evidence. Of the 7 programs reporting a 100% first-time rate, the number of graduates tested ranges from 11 to 92.
Look at both rates. A program with a modest first-time rate but a 98–100% ultimate rate gets nearly everyone licensed, just not always on the first try. A low ultimate rate is the bigger warning sign. 2 programs in FSBPT's ultimate report are below the 85% CAPTE benchmark for 2023–2024 graduates, though CAPTE judges compliance on its own two-year figures.
Expansion, hybrid and flex programs are listed separately from their home campus, and their results can differ a lot from it.
Rates describe a class, not you. The strongest predictor you control is preparation: a plan built around the FSBPT content outline and plenty of timed practice questions.

Pass rates for internationally educated PTs

Candidates educated outside the US passed on their first attempt at rates between 39% and 45% between 2021 and 2025, according to FSBPT. Our guide to the NPTE for internationally educated PTs covers credentialing and TOEFL. FSBPT's retake guidance points these candidates to programs that assess and remediate against a CAPTE-equivalent education, and to meeting FSBPT's recommended TOEFL minimums where English isn't a first language.

NPTE-PTA pass rates

Program-by-program PTA figures are on our NPTE-PTA pass rates by school page. The first-time pass rate for the PTA exam was 79% in 2025, and it has ranged from 76% to 81% since 2021. Counting retakes, 93% of 2024 graduates of accredited PTA programs have passed.

NPTE pass rates: frequently asked questions

What percentage of people pass the NPTE on the first try?

In 2025, 82% of all first-time NPTE-PT candidates passed, according to FSBPT: 85% of US-educated candidates and 39% of candidates educated outside the US.

Which PT school has the highest NPTE pass rate?

7 programs reported a 100% two-year first-time pass rate for 2024–2025 graduates. Sort the table above by First-time % to see them, and check how many graduates tested before comparing programs.

What is a good NPTE pass rate for a DPT program?

The national first-time rate for graduates of accredited US programs has been 85–88% for 2021–2025 graduates, and the median program is at 87.4%. For accreditation, CAPTE requires a two-year average ultimate pass rate of at least 85%.

How often does FSBPT update NPTE pass rates?

FSBPT updates its national exam-year and graduation-year reports each May with the previous year's results. School-level reports are updated through the year; the first-time school data on this page is current as of March 04, 2026.

Is the NPTE pass rate going down?

Not meaningfully. The US-educated first-time rate was 89% in 2021 and 84–86% from 2022 to 2025.

Be on the right side of the pass rate

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Sources

Every figure on this page comes from the primary sources below, checked on September 27, 2026. If an official source changes, it overrides this page.

NPTE Exam Year Reports (pass rates by exam year) — FSBPT
NPTE Graduation Year Reports — FSBPT
CAPTE Standards and Required Elements for Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education Programs (Element 1C2) — Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Two-Year First-Time Pass Rates by School (data current as of March 4, 2026) — FSBPT
NPTE Pass Rates By Program (weighted average ultimate pass rates) — FSBPT
Important Retake Information for the NPTE — FSBPT

NPTE Pass Rates 2026: National Trends and Every DPT Program

What is the NPTE pass rate?

NPTE-PT pass rates 2021–2025

First-time vs ultimate pass rate: what's the difference?

NPTE pass rates by school

How to read a program's pass rate

Pass rates for internationally educated PTs

NPTE-PTA pass rates

NPTE pass rates: frequently asked questions

Be on the right side of the pass rate

Sources

About the author

Sneha Bhagwat, PT, MPT

What is the NPTE pass rate?

NPTE-PT pass rates 2021–2025

First-time vs ultimate pass rate: what's the difference?

NPTE pass rates by school

How to read a program's pass rate

Pass rates for internationally educated PTs

NPTE-PTA pass rates

NPTE pass rates: frequently asked questions

Be on the right side of the pass rate

Sources

About the author

Sneha Bhagwat, PT, MPT

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