2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Leading the list is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, our #1 best value for occupational therapy/therapist in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $22,937. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $55,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $59,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $69,605. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #4 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,582. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,947. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University South Bend earned it the #5 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,640. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Chicago State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $67,878 early in their careers. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $60,685. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $64,181. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Huntington University placed #9 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,332 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Huntington University earn a median of $67,834 early in their careers. Set against $28,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #10 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $31,016. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $76,207. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Kettering College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Kettering College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kettering. In-state tuition and fees average $16,320. Students borrow a median of $32,543 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Kettering College earn a median of $68,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #12 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $21,374. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Wayne State University came in at #13 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $67,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #14 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $23,982 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $56,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,982 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Cleveland State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Shawnee State University landed the #16 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $64,138. Set against $25,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baker College Of Flint ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $41,000 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Baker College Of Flint earn a median of $46,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #18 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $55,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Grand Valley State University landed the #19 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $65,197 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $43,271. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,332. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Toledo landed the #22 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value 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, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $55,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #23 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,668. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $60,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Lewis University placed #24 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,699 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,588. Set against $26,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s occupational therapy/therapist value ranking:
Narrow Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
