2027 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Missouri

[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 5 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 Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in Missouri. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #2 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,177. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Louis University Main Campus one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $67,636. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Rockhurst University, which ranked #5. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.