2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Missouri
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapist assistant education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapist assistant students.
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2027 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in Missouri
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
For return on investment in occupational therapist assistant, no school beat St Charles Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. 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.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,747 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,770. That is a strong return on a $14,747 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes State Fair Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $15,328 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. 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. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,094. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. 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.
Crowder College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Missouri College came in at #8 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $16,685. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of North Central Missouri College earn a median of $40,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #9 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $21,818. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
