Compare Top PTA Programs in San Diego

Looking to start your physical therapy career in San Diego? Compare top CAPTE-accredited PTA programs and PT Aide programs across the city, surrounding areas and online, helping you make an informed choice based on tuition costs, graduation rates, job placement, and student reviews.

See PTA Programs in San Diego

Start comparing physical therapist assistant and aide programs and take the next step toward your healthcare career today.

Best PTA Programs in San Diego

Click the name of the PTA program to learn more or click the green request info button to request additional information from each school.

⏱️ Program Length	5 semesters
📜 Program Type	Associate Degree
🧑‍🏫 Delivery Method	On Campus
💲 Total Program Cost	$2,760
🎓 Graduation Rate	76%
🪪 Licensure Rate	97%
👩‍⚕️ Employment Rate	100%
🏫 Application Dates	April 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM – May 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM
✅ Accreditation	CAPTE
⭐ Student Rating	4.2

Thinking about becoming a physical therapist assistant in San Diego? San Diego Mesa College offers a well-respected, CAPTE-accredited PTA program that delivers strong hands-on training across five semesters in an on-campus setting.

One of the SDMC PTA program’s biggest strengths is its access to a wide network of clinical partners throughout San Diego, giving students real-world experience in diverse rehabilitation environments.

SDMC’s PTA program boasts a 97% licensure pass rate and a 100% job placement rate which is what really matters to students who invest in the program. The school also has a long-standing reputation within the local healthcare community, San Diego Mesa College is a competitive choice for aspiring PTAs. Just be sure to pay attention to the program’s annual application window, which typically opens in the fall.

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⏱️ Program Length	20 months
📜 Program Type	Associate Degree
🧑‍🏫 Delivery Method	On Campus
💲 Total Program Cost	NA
🎓 Graduation Rate	87%
🪪 Licensure Rate	100%
👩‍⚕️ Employment Rate	100%
🏫 Application Dates	Apply Online
✅ Accreditation	CAPTE
⭐ Student Rating	4.7

If you’re exploring PTA programs in San Diego, Concorde Career College is one option worth considering. Their PTA program is taught fully on campus and is CAPTE-accredited, so the training meets the standards you’ll need for licensure. Students move through a mix of lectures, hands-on lab work, and clinical rotations, which helps you build confidence before stepping into a real physical therapy setting.

Concorde also reports strong outcomes for graduates, including solid licensure exam performance and good job placement trends, something many prospective students look for when comparing programs. If you’re interested, the school accepts applications online, and it’s a good idea to get started early so you have time to work through the admissions steps.

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⏱️ Program Length	9 Months
📜 Program Type	Certificate
🧑‍🏫 Delivery Method	100% Online
💲 Total Program Cost	$2,611
🎓 Graduation Rate	67%
🪪 Exam Pass Rate	100%
👩‍⚕️ Employment Rate	100%
🏫 Application Dates	Apply Online
✅ Accreditation	AMCA, PTTC Exam
⭐ Student Rating	3.9

If you’re looking to start working in physical therapy support, SDSU Global Campus offers a “Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included)” program that you can complete fully online, ideal if you want flexibility. The roughly $2,611 course helps you build foundational skills, from basic anatomy and medical terminology to clinic-support tasks like preparing treatment rooms, documenting patient visits, and assisting with patient flow.

Once you finish, the program prepares you to sit for the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Physical Therapy Technician/Aide (PTTC) exam, which some clinics use to screen candidates. So, if you’re interested in entering the physical-therapy field quickly, and possibly building experience working while you consider further training, this online aide certificate offers a practical, lower-commitment starting point.

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⏱️ Program Length	Self Paced
📜 Program Type	PT Aide Certificate
🧑‍🏫 Delivery Method	100% Online
💲 Total Program Cost	NA
🎓 Graduation Rate	NA
🪪 Exam Pass Rate	NA
👩‍⚕️ Employment Rate	NA
🏫 Application Dates	Apply Online
✅ Accreditation	PTTC
⭐ Student Rating	4.9

If you’re considering work as a physical therapy aide, a2z Health offers an online training path designed to help you get started quickly and finish at your own pace. Their course aims to teach the practical and administrative skills needed to support physical therapists, from cleaning and prepping treatment rooms to escorting patients, scheduling appointments, handling paperwork, and helping with general clinic flow.

Because this program focuses on the aide role (not as a licensed PTA), it can be a useful first step if you want to start working sooner rather than later. a2z Health describes the job outlook for aides as growing, partly because many clinics rely on aides for daily operations and support tasks.

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Comprehensive Data

Designed to Help You Choose

Our comprehensive data empowers users to effectively compare and select the best PTA programs in San Diego that align with their professional goals and unique circumstances. Quickly compare info such as graduation rate, tuition costs, exam pass rates, course curriculum, accreditation, financial aid opportunities, career success rates, campus locations, online classes and more.

In-Person Programs

There are great CAPTE accredited PTA programs in San Diego that are traditional campus-based local programs.

Online Programs

There are great online PTA programs in San Diego that are non-traditional flexible programs with courses taken remotely.

Hybrid Programs

There are also some hybrid PTA programs in San Diego that offer a blend of campus-based and online learning.

Start Your Physical Therapy Career Today!

Step 1: Research Programs

Step 2: Request Info

Step 3: Become a PTA

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