2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in North Carolina
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapy/therapist students.
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2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in North Carolina
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 University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,000. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
East Carolina University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,000. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $56,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Winston Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $58,227. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Appalachian State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences one of 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. In-state tuition and fees average $16,550. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Pfeiffer University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,070. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,375. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $54,891. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #7 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,900 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $68,628. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Wingate University came in at #8 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,576 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,556 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $73,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Methodist University placed #9 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $41,250. Students borrow a median of $27,604 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Methodist University earn a median of $73,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Duke University came in at #10 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $68,778. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
More Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
