2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for occupational therapy/therapist in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $17,669. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,189. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. 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. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $58,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. 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. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $20,900. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $72,578 early in their careers. Set against $20,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $70,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $72,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Louisiana Monroe earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,465 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $83,514. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #9 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $68,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #10 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $72,301. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Middle Georgia State University earned the #11 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $48,207. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University landed the #12 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,912. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University earned the #13 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,514. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mary Baldwin College landed the #14 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,187. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,562. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $73,640. That is a strong return on a $29,562 median debt.
Tennessee Wesleyan College earned the #15 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,814. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University came in at #16 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,227. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #17 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $56,764. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
West Virginia University landed the #18 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $23,772. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $64,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University came in at #19 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,824. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $48,749. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #20 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,992. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences placed #21 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Concord. Students from in state pay about $16,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,414. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences generally make around $60,869. That is a strong return on a $24,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Georgia State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $70,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University landed the #23 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,616. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #24 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,111. That is a strong return on a $22,920 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
Tennessee State University came in at #25 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $67,436. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in occupational therapy/therapist:
Narrow Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
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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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
