2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 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 the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $4,992 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. That is a strong return on a $4,992 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $35,967. That is a strong return on a $17,512 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $16,172. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $37,407. Set against $16,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chattahoochee Technical College earned it the #4 place for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $9,616. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,458. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #6 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $43,389. That is a strong return on a $19,172 median debt.
Trident Technical College landed the #7 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pearl River Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,700, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Pearl River Community College generally make around $42,444. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #9 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $37,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walters State Community College landed the #10 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,173. Set against $10,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,755. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $45,207. That is a strong return on a $17,755 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #12 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,702. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $42,374 early in their careers. Set against $18,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #13 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $36,245. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned the #14 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $31,512 early in their careers. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College earned the #15 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $42,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roane State Community College earned the #16 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,500. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $30,882 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madisonville Community College came in at #17 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,023 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Madisonville Community College generally make around $30,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College earned the #19 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Greenville Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,495, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $43,962. That is a strong return on a $16,132 median debt.
Jefferson Community And Technical College landed the #20 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $38,477. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pitt Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,700 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $34,294. That is a strong return on a $20,700 median debt.
Daytona State College placed #22 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $16,140. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $28,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson State Community College came in at #23 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,740 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,710 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Jackson State Community College earn a median of $38,867 early in their careers. Set against $11,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashville State Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $24,200. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $40,411 early in their careers. Set against $24,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College earned the #25 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,601. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $29,799. That is a strong return on a $17,601 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in occupational therapist assistant:
Narrow Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools by State
More Occupational Therapist Assistant Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
