2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Ohio

[Occupational Therapist Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/occupational-therapist-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 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 Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Lorain County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in Ohio. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. 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. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,335. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $41,891. Set against $22,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #4. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,988. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $38,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #5 place for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $20,364 median debt.
Marion Technical College ranked #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Students borrow a median of $14,196 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $37,040. That is a strong return on a $14,196 median debt.
Lakeland Community College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Zane State College landed the #8 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,966 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $30,035. That is a strong return on a $12,966 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College placed #9 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,929 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $29,932. Set against $9,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. 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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $33,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Ashtabula placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Kent State University At Ashtabula is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ashtabula. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $28,878 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Kent State University At Ashtabula earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Set against $28,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bryant And Stratton College Parma landed the #12 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Parma, Bryant And Stratton College Parma is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,013. Students borrow a median of $24,200 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Parma earn a median of $37,353 early in their careers. Set against $24,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At East Liverpool earned the #13 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of East Liverpool, Kent State University At East Liverpool is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $28,878. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Kent State University At East Liverpool generally make around $40,671. That is a strong return on a $28,878 median debt.
Shawnee State University came in at #14 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,999 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $36,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.