2027 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 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 the The Plains States 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
Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $37,307. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $38,770. That is a strong return on a $14,747 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #4 place for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $26,214 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $39,842 early in their careers. Set against $26,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at State Fair Community College earned it the #5 place for occupational therapist assistant. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $15,328. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #6 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,424. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $32,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #7 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,600 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $35,722 early in their careers. Set against $11,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,719. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,436. That is a strong return on a $14,719 median debt.
Neosho County Community College landed the #9 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. 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.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #10 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. 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.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $18,616 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $33,912 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College placed #12 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $36,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State College Of Science placed #13 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Northland Community And Technical College landed the #14 spot for occupational therapist assistant value 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. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $23,750. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,509 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Missouri College came in at #15 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,685 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. Set against $16,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn University placed #16 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $22,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $45,386. That is a strong return on a $22,566 median debt.
Lake Area Technical Institute placed #17 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,718. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,510. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $35,932. That is a strong return on a $14,510 median debt.
Anoka Technical College came in at #18 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,541 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Anoka Technical College earn a median of $40,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,541 median debt.
St Catherine University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,149. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #20 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Brown Mackie College Quad Cities placed #21 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Davenport, Brown Mackie College Quad Cities is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,554. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $29,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
