2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Master’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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 159 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 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
For return on investment in occupational therapy/therapist, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $74,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $48,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny York College earned it the #4 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $12,573. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,806. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,014 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #6 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,433. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #7 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $63,249. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $16,481. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $57,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University landed the #9 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $23,420. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $65,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,900 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $62,464. Set against $20,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Indiana State University landed the #11 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $71,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Worcester State University came in at #12 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,000. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $45,297. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Idaho State University placed #13 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,640. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $75,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University landed the #14 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Kean University earn a median of $73,099 early in their careers. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #15 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $22,465. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $83,514. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #16 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $64,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #17 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University placed #18 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,326 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $70,652. That is a strong return on a $25,326 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Maria College Of Albany came in at #19 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Albany, Maria College Of Albany is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,740. Students borrow a median of $29,420 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Maria College Of Albany earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Set against $29,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #20 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,862. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Northeastern State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $78,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #22 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #23 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $47,733. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $58,625 early in their careers. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $69,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Rest of the Top 50 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
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Occupational Therapy/Therapist rankings across degree levels:
View All Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 159 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 159 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.
