2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Tennessee
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the occupational therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $23,324. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $72,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Wesleyan College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,814. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,859. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Tennessee State University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,489. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $67,436 early in their careers. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #4 makes East Tennessee State University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $64,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Milligan College placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,150. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $66,275 early in their careers. Set against $26,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Belmont University earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $73,552 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
More Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
