2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Associate’s Degree 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 182 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapist assistant students.
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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. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $35,967 early in their careers. Set against $17,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $40,458 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #3. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $42,057. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Macomb Community 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 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. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. 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.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. 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 $13,735. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $28,687. That is a strong return on a $13,735 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #6 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $10,378 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,084. Set against $10,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,335. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Roane State Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $30,882. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #10 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. 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 $11,242. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,607 early in their careers. Set against $11,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. 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.
St Philips College ranked #13 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. 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.
Trident Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College placed #15 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,755 in student loans. 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.
Lorain County Community College landed the #16 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $33,693. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt.
Mclennan Community College placed #17 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kapiolani Community College ranked #18 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,496. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $42,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,496 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $21,787 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #20 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #21 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #22 position for value in occupational therapist assistant 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, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,681 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $31,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #23 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $22,525 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $41,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College came in at #24 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $37,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $20,406 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,667. 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:
Other Occupational Therapist Assistant Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Occupational Therapist Assistant rankings across degree levels:
View All Occupational Therapist Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 182 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 182 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.
