2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Cuny York College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Community College Of Baltimore County earned it the #2 place for occupational therapy/therapist. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $40,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stony Brook University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Kean University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,277. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Towson University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $65,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Maria College Of Albany earned the #6 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Maria College Of Albany is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $18,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,420. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maria College Of Albany admits about 44% of applicants.
Mercy College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,580. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #8 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $81,165. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College landed the #9 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $30,759. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $67,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Utica College landed the #10 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $47,065. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University At Buffalo ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $51,364. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto placed #13 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the rural area of Mont Alto, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,134 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,134 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto earn a median of $45,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,134 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto admits about 98% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #14 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,990. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,385. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware State University came in at #15 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,670, while out-of-state students pay about $20,634. Students borrow a median of $26,333 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $41,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Delaware State University admits about 47% of applicants.
Dyouville College came in at #16 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,940. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Dyouville College generally make around $55,200. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Carlow University came in at #17 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Students borrow a median of $30,222 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,938. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
New York Institute Of Technology came in at #18 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,560. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York Institute Of Technology admits about 81% of applicants.
Gannon University placed #19 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $67,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Le Moyne College came in at #20 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,330 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,739 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,399. Set against $25,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Widener University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $76,073 early in their careers. Set against $26,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #22 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,120. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $65,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The Sage Colleges landed the #23 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,164. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,702 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The Sage Colleges earn a median of $63,784 early in their careers. Set against $26,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $66,408 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College placed #25 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,524. Set against $26,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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:
Narrow Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
More Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings
View All Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
