2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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 North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the occupational therapist assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Piedmont Community College the best value for a degree in occupational therapist assistant in North Carolina. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,512. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Durham Technical Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $20,408. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Community College Sylva earned it the #3 place for occupational therapist assistant. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $18,702 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $42,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,702 median debt.
Pitt Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,700 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $34,294. Set against $20,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $37,465. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,388. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $42,889. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College placed #7 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Students from in state pay about $2,882 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,026 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earn a median of $33,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences came in at #8 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Concord, Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,550. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $23,307 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences generally make around $37,422. That is a strong return on a $23,307 median debt. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
