2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
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2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Our analysis ranked Florida International University the best value for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist in the United States. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $63,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $33,530. That is a strong return on a $16,666 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Saginaw Valley State University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $59,937 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $16,014. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $28,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,014 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $20,900 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,578. Set against $20,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Kean University earn a median of $71,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Worcester State University placed #7 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Andrews University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,951. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $72,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,951 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #9 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $19,819. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $28,195. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #10 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $72,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Utah earned the #11 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $43,684. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #12 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,668. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $60,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #13 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,374. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $41,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Georgia State University placed #14 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #15 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $32,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #16 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $23,982. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $32,049. That is a strong return on a $23,982 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $30,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Winston Salem State University landed the #18 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $31,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #19 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $43,631. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University came in at #20 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $66,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University earned the #21 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,992. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kansas landed the #22 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $68,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #23 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,616. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University placed #24 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $33,926. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Salem State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $66,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s occupational therapy/therapist value ranking:
Other Occupational Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value occupational therapy/therapist schools at other degree levels:
View All Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
