2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Texas
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapist assistant students.
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2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
For return on investment in occupational therapist assistant, no school beat South Texas College this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $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. 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 El Centro College, which ranked #2. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,557. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $27,898 early in their careers. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. 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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $42,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $46,461. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo 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 Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College came in at #7 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Houston Community College placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $20,299. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,964. Set against $20,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #9 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,457. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $49,448. That is a strong return on a $18,457 median debt.
Weatherford College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College landed the #11 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System placed #12 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,553 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $35,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #13 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. 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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $40,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Navarro College placed #14 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. 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. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Navarro College earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $24,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute Houston earned the #15 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Houston, Pima Medical Institute Houston is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Houston generally make around $38,045. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute El Paso earned the #16 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of El Paso, Pima Medical Institute El Paso is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute El Paso earn a median of $38,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
Parker University placed #17 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Dallas, Parker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,904 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $30,500. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,994. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 17 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.
