2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in New York

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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 New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Suffolk County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools in New York. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,406 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,406 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $19,125 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $40,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,125 median debt.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Students borrow a median of $12,728 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $51,727 early in their careers. Set against $12,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Erie Community College, which ranked #4. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. 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.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Bryant And Stratton College Greece, which ranked #5. Bryant And Stratton College Greece is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. 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 came in at #6 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Albany, Maria College Of Albany is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,740. Students borrow a median of $26,812 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Maria College Of Albany generally make around $36,742. Set against $26,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Villa Maria College earned the #7 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Villa Maria College admits about 87% of applicants.
Mercy College landed the #8 spot for occupational therapist assistant value 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. Set against $31,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North earned the #9 position 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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Syracuse North earn a median of $32,115 early in their careers. 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 · 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.