2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in California
[Occupational Therapist Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/occupational-therapist-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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 California
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
Santa Ana College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in California. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,368 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grossmont College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapist assistant. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
A rank of #3 makes Clovis Community College Fresno one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
A rank of #4 makes Sacramento City College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Monterey Peninsula College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Monterey, Monterey Peninsula College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,188, with out-of-state students paying around $10,532. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,176 ten years after entry.
Platt College Anaheim placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Anaheim, Platt College Anaheim is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,847. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,229 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $26,326. Set against $7,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cbd College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Cbd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. Set against $13,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute San Marcos earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Pima Medical Institute San Marcos is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,375. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute San Marcos earn a median of $38,045 early in their careers. Set against $18,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Career College Anaheim ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the city of Anaheim, American Career College Anaheim is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,250. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of American Career College Anaheim earn a median of $38,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanbridge College came in at #10 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Stanbridge College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $30,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Stanbridge College generally make around $50,198. That is a strong return on a $30,764 median debt. Stanbridge College admits about 10% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
