2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Associate’s Degree 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.
College Factual analyzed 246 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools.
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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
For return on investment in occupational therapist assistant, no school beat Sacramento City College this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $48,969. Set against $15,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $35,967. Set against $17,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $13,735. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $28,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,735 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Bates Technical College, which ranked #4. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned it the #5 place for occupational therapist assistant. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $4,992 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College earned the #6 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $17,090 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $37,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
South Texas College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $10,378. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $32,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #9 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $9,616. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $40,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #10 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $37,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,172 median debt.
Walters State Community College earned the #11 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. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $10,210. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $35,173. Set against $10,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College placed #12 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $19,172. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $43,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #13 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $38,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College placed #14 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. 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.
Pearl River Community College landed the #15 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,700, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $42,444. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College earned the #16 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. 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.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #17 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $20,406 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #18 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $11,242 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,607 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,242 median debt.
Kapiolani Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Students borrow a median of $15,496 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $42,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #20 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. 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. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College landed the #22 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $46,461. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #24 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #25 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. 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. Set against $8,093 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:
Other Occupational Therapist Assistant Degree Levels
Explore the best-value occupational therapist assistant schools at other degree levels:
View All Occupational Therapist Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 151 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.
