2027 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for occupational therapist assistant in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $20,406 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Laguardia Community College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $19,125. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $40,463 early in their careers. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Orange County Community College, which ranked #3. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,728. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $51,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Hudson County Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College came in at #6 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $32,890. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Passaic County Community College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allegany College Of Maryland ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,357 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $34,372. That is a strong return on a $18,357 median debt.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #9 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. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Wor Wic Community College generally make around $40,345. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #10 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,064. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $38,769. That is a strong return on a $11,064 median debt.
Bryant And Stratton College Greece earned the #11 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Bryant And Stratton College Greece is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,538. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $24,200. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Greece earn a median of $32,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,200 median debt.
Maria College Of Albany came in at #12 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Maria College Of Albany is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $18,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $26,812. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Maria College Of Albany earn a median of $36,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Villa Maria College came in at #13 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,670 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $31,909. Set against $15,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #14 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,922 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $36,439 early in their careers. Set against $19,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College placed #15 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $31,125. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $39,267. Set against $31,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North came in at #16 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Liverpool. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,926. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,115. Set against $24,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Shenango earned the #17 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Shenango is a small public school located in the town of Sharon. Students from in state pay about $14,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,560. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,848. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Central Pennsylvania College landed the #18 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Central Pennsylvania College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Summerdale. In-state tuition and fees average $19,854. Students borrow a median of $22,561 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $36,018. Set against $22,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Pennsylvania College admits about 18% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto came in at #19 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Mont Alto, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,408, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,000. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto earn a median of $35,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks placed #20 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,848. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Harcum College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,000. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $30,470. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Harcum College generally make around $48,603. That is a strong return on a $30,470 median debt.
Eastwick College placed #22 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of Ramsey, Eastwick College is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $16,702 median debt.
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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 · 22 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.
