2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
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2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Our analysis ranked Cedar Crest College the best value for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist in Pennsylvania. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto earned it the #2 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Students borrow a median of $25,134 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $45,899. Set against $25,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
A rank of #3 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,364. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Gannon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $67,291 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Carlow University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #6 position 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. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $76,073. Set against $26,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University placed #7 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Messiah College placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $73,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Elizabethtown College came in at #9 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. In-state tuition and fees average $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Gwynedd Mercy College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,838. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College generally make around $65,243. That is a strong return on a $29,764 median debt. Gwynedd Mercy College admits about 90% of applicants.
Alvernia University placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $31,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $68,231. That is a strong return on a $31,900 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University earned the #12 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,914. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #13 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $35,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $63,194. Set against $35,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saint Josephs University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $75,162. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.
Chatham University came in at #15 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,001. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $70,974 early in their careers. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,487 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,219 early in their careers. Set against $23,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #17 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,500. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,857. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $48,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Scranton came in at #18 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,476 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,511. Set against $26,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
Misericordia University landed the #19 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,370. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,262 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Misericordia University earn a median of $68,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,262 median debt. Misericordia University admits about 71% of applicants.
Duquesne University earned the #20 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $71,021. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University came in at #21 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,237. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
