Retraining ReportJob training public funding can pay for

Find training

PTA programs in Illinois

15 PTA (physical therapist assistant) programs with results and funding that can make them free

15 schools offer these physical therapist assistant programs, and Illinois has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows how past students did; Illinois files no usable prices.

Physical therapist assistants work under a physical therapist, helping patients move again and manage pain after injuries and illness. Every state requires an associate degree from an accredited program and a license or certification, which takes passing an exam.1 The exam is the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.2

In Illinois, 1 of the 15 programs takes students without a high school diploma and 14 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 15 programs here are PTA (associate degree, 13 programs) and PTA program (level not stated, 2 programs).

See the 15 programs

How much do PTA programs cost in Illinois?

Not reported

Illinois files no usable prices, so none can be shown.

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not reported
None of the 15 programs report it
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
72 to 80 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Illinois may also offer PTA programs. How these figures are made

Are there free PTA programs in Illinois?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 15 PTA programs in Illinois approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
School
How it's taught
How to show the list

15 programs

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant AAS

    Black Hawk College

    Moline

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Black Hawk College, MolinePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant AAS at Black Hawk College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant AAS at Black Hawk College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    32%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,697
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    47
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant AAS at Black Hawk College

  • PTA (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Heartland Community College

    Normal

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Heartland Community College, NormalPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$48,800
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Heartland Community College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Heartland Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    88%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,189
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    26
    Earned a year, estimated
    $48,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Heartland Community College

  • PTA (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Lake Land College

    Mattoon

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Lake Land College, MattoonPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$44,000
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Lake Land College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Lake Land College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,007
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    24
    Earned a year, estimated
    $44,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Lake Land College

  • PTA (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Associate Physical Therapist Assistant

    Morton College

    Cicero

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Morton College, CiceroPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Associate Physical Therapist Assistant at Morton College
    More details about Associate Physical Therapist Assistant at Morton College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Associate Physical Therapist Assistant at Morton College

  • PTA (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Southwestern Illinois College

    Belleville

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Southwestern Illinois College, BellevillePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Southwestern Illinois College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Southwestern Illinois College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    104 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Southwestern Illinois College

  • PTA program (level not stated)In personPrerequisite courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Malcolm X College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Malcolm X College, ChicagoPTA program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Malcolm X College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Malcolm X College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Malcolm X College

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Illinois Eastern Community Colleges / WVC

    Mt. Carmel

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Illinois Eastern Community Colleges / WVC, Mt. CarmelPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges / WVC
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges / WVC
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges / WVC

  • PTA program (level not stated)In personEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Illinois Central College

    East Peoria

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Illinois Central College, East PeoriaPTA program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Illinois Central College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Illinois Central College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Illinois Central College

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridPrerequisite courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant AAS

    McHenry County College

    Crystal Lake

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    McHenry County College, Crystal LakePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant AAS at McHenry County College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant AAS at McHenry County College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant AAS at McHenry County College

  • PTA (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Degree

    Elgin Comm. College District #509

    Elgin

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Elgin Comm. College District #509, ElginPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Degree at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Degree at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Degree at Elgin Comm. College District #509

  • PTA (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Degree

    Kaskaskia College

    Centralia

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kaskaskia College, CentraliaPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Degree at Kaskaskia College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Degree at Kaskaskia College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant AAS Degree at Kaskaskia College

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree

    Kankakee Community College

    Kankakee

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kankakee Community College, KankakeePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree at Kankakee Community College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree at Kankakee Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    104 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant Associate Degree at Kankakee Community College

  • PTA (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Physical Therapist Assistant-AAS

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Harper College, PalatinePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant-AAS at Harper College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant-AAS at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant-AAS at Harper College

  • PTA (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Physical Therapy Assistant

    Southern Illinois University

    Carbondale

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Southern Illinois University, CarbondalePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapy Assistant at Southern Illinois University
    More details about Physical Therapy Assistant at Southern Illinois University
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    78 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapy Assistant at Southern Illinois University

  • PTA (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Physical Therapy Assistant A.A.S. degree

    Oakton College

    Skokie

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Oakton College, SkokiePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Physical Therapy Assistant A.A.S. degree at Oakton College
    More details about Physical Therapy Assistant A.A.S. degree at Oakton College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Physical Therapy Assistant A.A.S. degree at Oakton College

How to pay for PTA programs in Illinois

WIOA funding can pay for PTA programs in Illinois

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for PTA programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for PTA programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

PTA programs in Chicago, Davenport, Bloomington and other Illinois cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 3 more programs are in 3 other areas, 1 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Illinois

How PTA programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in Illinois

Where the Illinois physical therapist assistant program numbers come from

Which Illinois physical therapist assistant programs are on this list?

These are the physical therapist assistant programs Illinois approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Illinois offers.

How the prices and results of Illinois physical therapist assistant programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

How reliable are the Illinois figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Illinois among the states with "known data quality concerns".11 We leave out the share who finished for Illinois: only a few programs report it, and those at a typical 11%. We leave out prices for Illinois: the state files a code in place of each price, so no price can be shown.

Sources for the facts about PTA programs in Illinois

Show the 11 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides
  2. Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy: State Licensure
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List
  11. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: search page, note on states with known data quality concerns