2026 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapist assistant students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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 South Texas College, our #1 best value for occupational therapist assistant in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,378 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,084. Set against $10,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. 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. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $42,057. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes San Juan College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $17,090. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $37,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,090 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes El Centro College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $27,898. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
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, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
St Philips College came in at #6 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $46,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,648 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $29,838. That is a strong return on a $17,648 median debt.
Tulsa Community College landed the #8 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $11,875 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $35,879 early in their careers. Set against $11,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College earned the #9 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #10 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,500. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,500. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #12 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,457 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $49,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #13 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,299 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,964. That is a strong return on a $20,299 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #14 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,938 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,933. Set against $14,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weatherford College placed #15 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $10,860 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $51,083. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Lone Star College System came in at #16 for value in occupational therapist assistant 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,553. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,884. Set against $11,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Panola College earned the #17 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Tyler Junior College earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $46,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee placed #19 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. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $9,500. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee earn a median of $28,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Phoenix placed #20 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,581 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $41,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Connors State College placed #21 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. 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.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #22 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. 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.
High Plains Technology Center came in at #23 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Woodward, High Plains Technology Center is a small public university. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $67,935.
Navarro College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,578. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $24,448. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $51,543. Set against $24,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Murray State College came in at #25 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,230, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,685. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Murray State College generally make around $43,916. Set against $11,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for occupational therapist assistant this year:
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. 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
