2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Illinois
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 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 Illinois
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
For return on investment in occupational therapist assistant, no school beat City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $8,093. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,148. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $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 Lincoln Land Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,681 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $31,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John A Logan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $31,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $7,440. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Parkland College landed the #6 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. 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.
Illinois Central College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
Fox College Inc earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,670. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $21,579. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $42,418. That is a strong return on a $21,579 median debt. Fox College Inc admits about 70% of applicants.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
