2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapist assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapist assistant. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $8,801 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $31,916. Set against $8,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes South Suburban College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $26,750. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $33,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #6 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $22,525 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $41,891. That is a strong return on a $22,525 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #7 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,681 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $31,324. Set against $16,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,988 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $38,545 early in their careers. Set against $12,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John A Logan College earned the #9 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. John A Logan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $7,540. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. Set against $10,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College came in at #10 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,500. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $31,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Mchenry County College landed the #11 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College came in at #12 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $20,364. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $28,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #13 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,148. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Parkland College placed #14 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $36,872. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Marion Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,225. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,196 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $37,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,196 median debt.
Lakeland Community College landed the #16 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $19,857. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $51,941. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #17 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,210 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $33,004. That is a strong return on a $7,210 median debt.
Zane State College came in at #18 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,766. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,966 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $30,035 early in their careers. Set against $12,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #19 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $10,906. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $29,944 early in their careers. Set against $10,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James A Rhodes State College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,929 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of James A Rhodes State College earn a median of $29,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,929 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #21 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,699 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $34,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,699 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #22 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $12,557 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,060. Set against $12,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College landed the #23 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,649 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $33,188 early in their careers. Set against $19,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #24 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,812. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $33,169. That is a strong return on a $18,812 median debt.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $31,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in occupational therapist assistant:
Narrow Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools by State
More Occupational Therapist Assistant Rankings
View All Occupational Therapist Assistant Rankings >
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
