by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapist assistant students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in occupational therapist assistant, no school beat College Of Western Idaho this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $13,446. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,413.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Casper College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapist assistant. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $49,729. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,136. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $34,862. 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 Pueblo Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Students borrow a median of $17,335 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $42,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Idaho State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,750. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $37,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute Denver placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of Denver, Pima Medical Institute Denver is a small private for-profit institution. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ameritech College Draper landed the #7 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Draper, Ameritech College Draper is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,260 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,062 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $34,607. Set against $13,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.