2026 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapist assistant students.
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2026 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
Leading the list is Lewis And Clark Community College, our #1 best value for occupational therapist assistant in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 $8,801 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,801 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned it the #3 place for occupational therapist assistant. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. 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. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $40,148. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
North Central State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $13,667. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $47,458. That is a strong return on a $13,667 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $33,693. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #6 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,545. That is a strong return on a $12,988 median debt.
Macomb Community College earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,865. 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.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #8 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $16,681 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $31,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College earned the #9 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,196. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $37,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College landed the #10 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $31,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,364 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $28,616. That is a strong return on a $20,364 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #12 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $22,525 in student loans. 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.
Mchenry County College placed #13 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Zane State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Zane State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,766. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $30,035. That is a strong return on a $12,966 median debt.
Parkland College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $36,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. That is a strong return on a $19,857 median debt.
John A Logan College came in at #17 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,479 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $31,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $10,906. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $29,944. That is a strong return on a $10,906 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #19 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $9,929. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of James A Rhodes State College earn a median of $29,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #20 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $34,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,649 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $33,188. That is a strong return on a $19,649 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #22 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,812 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $33,169. Set against $18,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Ashtabula placed #23 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the town of Ashtabula, Kent State University At Ashtabula is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $28,878 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Kent State University At Ashtabula earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,878 median debt.
Illinois Central College earned the #24 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #25 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Students borrow a median of $7,210 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $33,004. Set against $7,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 33 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
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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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
