2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Far Western Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 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 Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
For return on investment in occupational therapist assistant, no school beat Santa Ana College this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $12,368 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $28,444. That is a strong return on a $12,368 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Sacramento City College, which ranked #2. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $15,008 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $48,969 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,008 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Bates Technical College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
A rank of #4 makes Kapiolani Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,496 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $42,172 early in their careers. Set against $15,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Lake Washington Institute Of Technology one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,335 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $45,385. That is a strong return on a $20,335 median debt.
Spokane Falls Community College landed the #6 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $47,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Green River Community College placed #7 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
Linn Benton Community College earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $7,317, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Linn Benton Community College generally make around $37,152. Set against $17,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monterey Peninsula College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Monterey, Monterey Peninsula College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,188, while out-of-state students pay about $10,532. Median earnings reach $42,176 ten years out.
Cbd College earned the #10 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Cbd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Cbd College generally make around $41,319. That is a strong return on a $13,800 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute Las Vegas earn a median of $38,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanbridge College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Stanbridge College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Students borrow a median of $30,764 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $50,198. Set against $30,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Platt College Anaheim came in at #13 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Anaheim, Platt College Anaheim is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,847. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $7,229. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $26,326. Set against $7,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Career College Anaheim came in at #14 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. American Career College Anaheim is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from American Career College Anaheim generally make around $38,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute San Marcos placed #15 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Pima Medical Institute San Marcos is a small private for-profit university. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute San Marcos earn a median of $38,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute Renton landed the #16 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Pima Medical Institute Renton is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Renton. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Renton generally make around $38,045. Set against $18,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
