2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Tennessee
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapist assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Tennessee
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
For return on investment in occupational therapist assistant, no school beat Walters State Community College this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $10,210. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $35,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roane State Community College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $30,882. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nashville State Community College earned it the #3 place for occupational therapist assistant. Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $40,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,710 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Jackson State Community College generally make around $38,867. That is a strong return on a $11,710 median debt.
South College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,535. Students borrow a median of $18,982 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $34,170. That is a strong return on a $18,982 median debt.
Concorde Career College Memphis placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Memphis, Concorde Career College Memphis is a small private for-profit institution. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,106 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Concorde Career College Memphis earn a median of $30,685 early in their careers. Set against $19,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
