2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Missouri
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapist assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Leading the list is Crowder College, our #1 best value for occupational therapist assistant in Missouri. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,719 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #2 makes St Charles Community College one of the best values 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. 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 #3 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,747 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $38,770 early in their careers. Set against $14,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,507. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $44,755. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.
State Fair Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $39,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College landed the #7 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $16,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,214 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $39,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,600 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,722. Set against $11,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Missouri College earned the #10 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central College landed the #11 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #12 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
