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2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapist assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
For return on investment in occupational therapist assistant, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,406 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,667. Set against $20,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $19,125. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,463. That is a strong return on a $19,125 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapist assistant will find it at Hudson County Community College, which ranked #3. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Erie Community College earned it the #4 place for occupational therapist assistant. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,580. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $32,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Orange County Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,728 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $51,727. Set against $12,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #7 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,064. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $38,769. That is a strong return on a $11,064 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #9 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,922 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $36,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jamestown Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $28,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.