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2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
For return on investment in occupational therapy/therapist, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $74,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $70,116. That is a strong return on a $16,666 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Cuny York College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $57,806 early in their careers. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $63,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
ADBLOCK #101
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #6 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $16,014 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #8 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $57,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #9 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #10 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $22,465. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $83,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #12 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $20,900. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $62,464. That is a strong return on a $20,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Murray State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $65,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University earned the #14 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $69,605. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #16 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $58,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #17 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,703. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University placed #18 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,326. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,652. That is a strong return on a $25,326 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #19 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $72,862 early in their careers. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #20 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $64,181. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #21 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $78,311 early in their careers. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $71,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana State University placed #23 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $71,232 early in their careers. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #24 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $59,225 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #25 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $18,500. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,433. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in occupational therapy/therapist:
Other Occupational Therapy/Therapist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value occupational therapy/therapist schools at other degree levels: