2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Wisconsin
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 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 Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $61,039 early in their careers. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $55,121. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #3 place for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $23,982 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $56,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,982 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Mount Mary College, which ranked #4. Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $35,420. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mount Mary College generally make around $68,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Mary College admits about 62% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Carroll University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,185. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Edgewood College came in at #6 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Madison, Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,860. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,578. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #7 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $72,716 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $74,469 early in their careers. Set against $24,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
More Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 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.
