2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
[Occupational Therapist Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/occupational-therapist-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapist assistant education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 246 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapist assistant students.
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Finding the Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant School for You
Where you study occupational therapist assistant affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the occupational therapist assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in the United States. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $4,992 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,008 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $48,969. Set against $15,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,967. That is a strong return on a $17,512 median debt.
San Juan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,090 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $37,239. That is a strong return on a $17,090 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #5 place for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,368. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $28,444. Set against $12,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College landed the #6 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $10,378 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $32,084 early in their careers. Set against $10,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $42,057 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $37,407. That is a strong return on a $16,172 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #10 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $43,389. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #12 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $8,801. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,801 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #13 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $9,616. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,458. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #14 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Pearl River Community College came in at #15 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,700, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Pearl River Community College earn a median of $42,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #16 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,406 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $20,406 median debt.
Walters State Community College earned the #17 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $35,173 early in their careers. Set against $10,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kapiolani Community College came in at #18 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,496. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $42,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $37,465 early in their careers. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,755 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $45,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,755 median debt.
El Centro College landed the #21 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $27,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College came in at #22 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $21,000. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $46,461 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College landed the #23 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #24 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,110. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #25 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $40,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s occupational therapist assistant value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Occupational Therapist Assistant. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 246 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 152 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
