2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in California
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
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2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the occupational therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in California. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,937. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $16,417. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of The Pacific one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $88,755 early in their careers. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Stanbridge College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Stanbridge College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,732. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Stanbridge College generally make around $79,749. Set against $26,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
University Of Southern California landed the #6 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $77,049. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Dominican University Of California earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,161. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Dominican University Of California earn a median of $71,230 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University Of California admits about 84% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
