2026 Best Value Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Crowder College earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapist assistant schools in the The Plains States Region. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,719. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $33,436. That is a strong return on a $14,719 median debt.

2

Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $37,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #3 place for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $12,606. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.

4

Saint Louis Community College
Bridgeton, MO

Saint Louis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapist assistant, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $11,424. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $32,094. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $14,747. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $38,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

State Fair Community College
Sedalia, MO

State Fair Community College placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Moberly Area Community College
Moberly, MO

Moberly Area Community College earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.

8

Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA

Indian Hills Community College earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $36,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #9 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $26,214 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $39,842. Set against $26,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College landed the #10 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $16,600 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $37,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $18,616. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $33,912 early in their careers. Set against $18,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Neosho County Community College
Chanute, KS

Neosho County Community College landed the #12 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $13,209. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $44,672. That is a strong return on a $13,209 median debt.

13

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Poplar Bluff, MO

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,600 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $35,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Hawkeye Community College landed the #14 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $20,716. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $39,614 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,716 median debt.

15

North Dakota State College Of Science
Wahpeton, ND

North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #15 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $15,706 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $48,989. Set against $15,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

North Central Missouri College
Trenton, MO

North Central Missouri College placed #16 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $16,685. Early-career occupational therapist assistant graduates make about $40,934. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt.

17

Anoka Technical College
Anoka, MN

Anoka Technical College came in at #17 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,267. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $21,541. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Anoka Technical College earn a median of $40,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Washburn University placed #18 among the best values for occupational therapist assistant. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $22,566 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $45,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

East Central College
Union, MO

East Central College earned the #19 position for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of East Central College earn a median of $33,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.

20

Northland Community And Technical College
Thief River Falls, MN

Northland Community And Technical College came in at #20 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,289. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the occupational therapist assistant program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $42,509. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.

21

Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, SD

Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #21 spot for occupational therapist assistant value this year. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,510 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $35,932 early in their careers. Set against $14,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #22 for value in occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $21,818. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

23

St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Typical student debt for occupational therapist assistant graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $40,149. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

24

Brown Mackie College Quad Cities
Davenport, IA

Brown Mackie College Quad Cities ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapist assistant schools. Brown Mackie College Quad Cities is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates carry a median of $12,554 in student loans. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Brown Mackie College Quad Cities earn a median of $29,215 early in their careers. Set against $12,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.