2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
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2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $70,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #2 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $68,233. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at College Of Saint Mary, which ranked #3. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,510. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Mary admits about 45% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mary earned it the #4 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $62,378. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,907. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $70,781. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $69,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,934. Students borrow a median of $31,121 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of $66,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #9 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $69,385. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
St Catherine University placed #10 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,883. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $65,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,883 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University landed the #11 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,642 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,918. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of $61,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,244. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rockhurst University came in at #13 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,111. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $71,272 early in their careers. Set against $24,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Saint Mary ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,380. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,810. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Saint Mary earn a median of $71,003 early in their careers. Set against $27,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #15 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,755. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $70,043 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #16 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $68,177 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,687. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $67,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Drake University earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $68,869. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Creighton University landed the #19 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $72,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
