2027 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 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 The Plains States Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 best value for occupational therapy/therapist in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,577. 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. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at College Of Saint Mary, which ranked #2. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $24,510. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $59,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Mary came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #4 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, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $69,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $68,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota ranked #6 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,781. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
St Catherine University came in at #7 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $69,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #9 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $69,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health placed #10 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,934. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $31,121 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $66,597. That is a strong return on a $31,121 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #11 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $68,177. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Saint Mary came in at #12 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,380 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,810 in student loans. 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. University Of Saint Mary admits about 87% of applicants.
Briar Cliff University landed the #13 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. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Students borrow a median of $29,918 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $61,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,687 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. 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%.
Saint Ambrose University placed #15 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $70,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Rockhurst University came in at #16 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,111. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Rockhurst University generally make around $71,272. Set against $24,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. 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.
Drake University earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University came in at #19 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,856 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,831. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,111. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
