2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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 Suffolk County Community College this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,406 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,667. Set against $20,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $19,125. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,463. That is a strong return on a $19,125 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Hudson County Community College, which ranked #3. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Erie Community College earned it the #4 place for occupational therapist assistant. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,580. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $32,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,728 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $51,727. Set against $12,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,064. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,769. That is a strong return on a $11,064 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #9 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,922 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $36,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jamestown Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $28,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #11 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North came in at #12 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Liverpool, Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,926 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,115. That is a strong return on a $24,200 median debt.
Allegany College Of Maryland ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Students borrow a median of $18,357 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $34,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Shenango landed the #14 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the town of Sharon, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Shenango is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,024, while out-of-state students pay about $23,560. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Villa Maria College earned the #15 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,670. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,395. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Villa Maria College generally make around $31,909. That is a strong return on a $15,395 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College earned the #16 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $31,125. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $39,267. That is a strong return on a $31,125 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Greece earned the #17 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Bryant And Stratton College Greece is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,538 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Greece generally make around $32,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maria College Of Albany ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the city of Albany, Maria College Of Albany is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,740. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $26,812. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Maria College Of Albany generally make around $36,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Central Pennsylvania College placed #19 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of Summerdale, Central Pennsylvania College is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,854. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $22,561 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Central Pennsylvania College generally make around $36,018. That is a strong return on a $22,561 median debt. The acceptance rate is 18%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto landed the #20 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto is a small public school located in the rural area of Mont Alto. In-state tuition and fees average $14,408, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $50,530. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Lackawanna College came in at #22 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,400. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,168 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lackawanna College earn a median of $37,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,168 median debt.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks placed #23 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks admits about 99% of applicants.
Harcum College came in at #24 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. In-state tuition and fees average $32,000. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $30,470. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $48,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastwick College landed the #25 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Eastwick College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Ramsey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,057. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,702 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Eastwick College generally make around $35,514. 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), 2026 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
