2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Our analysis ranked Florida International University the best value for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist in the United States. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $63,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,014 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

3

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,900 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $72,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,900 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $33,530 early in their careers. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $20,798. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $43,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

6

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University came in at #6 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $71,277. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.

7

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #7 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $18,500. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $59,937. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

8

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University earned the #8 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,000. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

9

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $28,195. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

10

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #10 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,374. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $41,370. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.

11

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,982 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $32,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,982 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama placed #12 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,705. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

13

Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $28,000. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $31,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

14

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $32,371. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

15

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #15 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $43,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

16

Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH

Shawnee State University came in at #16 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,233 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,138. Set against $25,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $30,561. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

18

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $66,152. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #19 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $37,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

20

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #20 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,425. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $33,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

21

Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,248 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $33,000. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $22,847. Set against $33,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama State University admits about 98% of applicants.

22

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University landed the #22 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $60,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

23

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University placed #23 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.

24

Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University placed #24 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,750. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $66,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

25

Dyouville College
Buffalo, NY

Dyouville College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,940. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Dyouville College earn a median of $50,473 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.