2027 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapist assistant education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapist assistant students.
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2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Illinois
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 South Suburban College this year. Located in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,093, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,904 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $46,568. That is a strong return on a $7,904 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $8,801. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $31,916. Set against $8,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #3 place for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $16,681. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $31,324. That is a strong return on a $16,681 median debt.
John A Logan College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. 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 $40,806 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 City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $40,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #6 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $10,168. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $36,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. 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.
Fox College Inc landed the #9 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,670 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,579 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Fox College Inc earn a median of $42,418 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,579 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.