2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
[Occupational Therapist Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/occupational-therapist-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapist assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Our analysis ranked Community College Of Allegheny County the best value for a degree in occupational therapist assistant in Pennsylvania. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. 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. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $36,439. Set against $19,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #2. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,611. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $39,957. 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 Pennsylvania State University Penn State Shenango, which ranked #3. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Shenango is a small public school located in the town of Sharon. In-state tuition and fees average $14,024, with out-of-state students paying around $23,560. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Central Pennsylvania College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Summerdale, Central Pennsylvania College is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Pennsylvania College admits about 18% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto is a small public school located in the rural area of Mont Alto. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Lackawanna College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Lackawanna College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,168 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $37,408. That is a strong return on a $21,168 median debt.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Harcum College ranked #8 on our 2026 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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $30,470 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Harcum College earn a median of $48,603 early in their careers. Set against $30,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Occupational Therapist Assistant Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
