2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 60 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in occupational therapy/therapist, no school beat The Community College Of Baltimore County this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $40,075. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $57,806. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Stony Brook University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $66,028. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Kean University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $71,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Towson University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $65,710. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #6 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $81,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $28,304. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $72,580 early in their careers. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Maria College Of Albany ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Albany, Maria College Of Albany is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,740. Students borrow a median of $29,420 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Maria College Of Albany earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Set against $29,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo came in at #9 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $56,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Saint Francis University placed #10 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,750. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $66,408. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware State University earned the #12 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,670 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,634. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Delaware State University generally make around $41,572. Set against $26,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #13 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $71,385. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Trinity Washington University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $26,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $31,194. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,163. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
New York Institute Of Technology placed #15 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,472 early in their careers. Set against $25,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York Institute Of Technology admits about 81% of applicants.
Dyouville College landed the #16 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Dyouville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $34,940 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,250. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $55,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Gannon University placed #17 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,934. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $67,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Le Moyne College earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,330. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Le Moyne College generally make around $56,399. That is a strong return on a $25,739 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Utica College came in at #19 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $47,065. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cedar Crest College placed #20 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #21 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $65,233. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The Sage Colleges placed #22 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,164. Students borrow a median of $26,702 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $63,784. Set against $26,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,211. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $59,440 early in their careers. Set against $25,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Chatham University came in at #24 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,001. Students borrow a median of $24,261 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,974. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Misericordia University earned the #25 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,370. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,262. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Misericordia University earn a median of $68,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s occupational therapy/therapist value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
