2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southwest 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 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 the Southwest Region
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 The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $16,014 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $42,786 early in their careers. Set against $16,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $54,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Texas Womans University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $60,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #4 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $78,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Langston University, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,863, while out-of-state students pay about $14,616. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $30,017. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Langston University earn a median of $39,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,017 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #6 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,134. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,645. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $76,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #8 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $71,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,782 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $77,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Abilene Christian University earned the #10 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $23,772. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $74,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Baylor University placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $74,108. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
