2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Illinois
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools.
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2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Illinois
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
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $16,666. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $59,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Governors State University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $69,605. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $43,322. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $67,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,719. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
North Central College landed the #6 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,699. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University came in at #7 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $68,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Elmhurst College earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $65,792. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,340. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,390. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
More Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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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 · 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.
