2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Michigan

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools.
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2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in Michigan. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $60,685. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #2 place for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $76,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $67,191. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Baker College Of Flint earned it the #4 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. Students borrow a median of $41,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $46,774. Set against $41,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,425. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $43,271 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #6 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $65,197. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Western Michigan University earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Davenport University placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Grand Rapids, Davenport University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,466 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,603 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Davenport University earn a median of $62,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.