2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Illinois
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
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2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the occupational therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Our analysis ranked Governors State University the best value for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist in Illinois. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $69,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #2 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Chicago State University one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $67,878. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis University earned it the #4 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elmhurst College earned it the #5 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $65,792 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
North Central College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Central College admits about 77% of applicants.
More Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
