2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
[Occupational Therapist Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/occupational-therapist-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapist assistant education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 199 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapist assistant students.
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Finding the Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant School for You
The right occupational therapist assistant school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built 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.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 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
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in the United States. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $35,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,865. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,234 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #3 place for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,801 in student loans. 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.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $42,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,458. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. 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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $27,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Santa Ana College earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $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 came in at #8 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,378 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $32,084. That is a strong return on a $10,378 median debt.
South Suburban College placed #9 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $7,904. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $46,568. Set against $7,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $30,882. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #11 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,335. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #12 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $16,172. 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.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #14 spot for occupational therapist assistant value 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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $46,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College came in at #15 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College came in at #16 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $17,755 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $45,207. That is a strong return on a $17,755 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #17 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $21,787. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,260. That is a strong return on a $21,787 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #19 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,172 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $43,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,172 median debt.
Kapiolani Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,496 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $42,172. Set against $15,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,500. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College came in at #22 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $33,693. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College earned the #23 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #24 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $20,408. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #25 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $16,681 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $31,324 early in their careers. Set against $16,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for occupational therapist assistant this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Occupational Therapist Assistant. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 199 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 199 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.
