2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapist assistant education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Crowder College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in the The Plains States Region. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,719. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $33,436. That is a strong return on a $14,719 median debt.
Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $37,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #3 place for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,606. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,424. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,094. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,747. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $38,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $36,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #9 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $26,214 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $39,842. Set against $26,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College landed the #10 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $16,600 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $37,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,616. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $33,912 early in their careers. Set against $18,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Neosho County Community College landed the #12 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $13,209. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $44,672. That is a strong return on a $13,209 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,600 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $35,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #14 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $20,716. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $39,614 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,716 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #15 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,706 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $48,989. Set against $15,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Missouri College placed #16 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $16,685. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,934. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt.
Anoka Technical College came in at #17 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,267. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $21,541. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Anoka Technical College earn a median of $40,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn University placed #18 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $22,566 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $45,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central College earned the #19 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of East Central College earn a median of $33,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College came in at #20 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,289. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $42,509. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #21 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,510 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $35,932 early in their careers. Set against $14,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #22 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $21,818. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
St Catherine University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $40,149. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brown Mackie College Quad Cities ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Brown Mackie College Quad Cities is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,554 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Brown Mackie College Quad Cities earn a median of $29,215 early in their careers. Set against $12,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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), 2026 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 · 31 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.
