2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Southwest Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapist assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for occupational therapist assistant in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $27,898. 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 Del Mar College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $42,057. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,378 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $32,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,378 median debt.
St Philips College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $46,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned it the #5 place for occupational therapist assistant. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College landed the #6 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
Mclennan Community College landed the #7 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,500. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,499. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #8 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $17,648 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $29,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,648 median debt.
Houston Community College landed the #9 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $20,299 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,964. That is a strong return on a $20,299 median debt.
San Juan College landed the #10 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,090. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $37,239. Set against $17,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Panola College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Austin Community College District ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,457 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $49,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College landed the #13 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,875 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $35,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weatherford College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $10,860. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $51,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Tyler Junior College came in at #15 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $46,586 early in their careers. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System landed the #16 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,553. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $35,884. Set against $11,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Connors State College placed #17 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $44,557. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee placed #18 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the town of Muskogee, Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee earn a median of $28,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #19 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,938 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Phoenix ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,581. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $41,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State College landed the #21 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,685. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $43,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned the #22 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,750. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $43,773 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Navarro College landed the #23 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,008, while out-of-state students pay about $6,578. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $24,448 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Navarro College generally make around $51,543. That is a strong return on a $24,448 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute Houston landed the #24 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Pima Medical Institute Houston is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,375. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Houston generally make around $38,045. Set against $18,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute Mesa landed the #25 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute Mesa is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,375. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute Mesa earn a median of $38,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 30 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
View All Occupational Therapist Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
