2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in New York
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong occupational therapy/therapist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for occupational therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in New York
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 Stony Brook University, our #1 best value for occupational therapy/therapist in New York. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $66,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny York College earned it the #2 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. 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. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $81,165. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Mercy College one of the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $28,304. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $72,580. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Maria College Of Albany, which ranked #5. Maria College Of Albany is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,740. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,420. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Maria College Of Albany generally make around $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. 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, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $56,592. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Dyouville College landed the #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $34,940. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Dyouville College generally make around $55,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
New York Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,560. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,435. 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. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Le Moyne College came in at #9 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,330. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,739. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Le Moyne College earn a median of $56,399 early in their careers. Set against $25,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Utica College came in at #10 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $47,065. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The Sage Colleges landed the #11 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,164. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $26,702. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The Sage Colleges earn a median of $63,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,702 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #12 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Keuka College landed the #13 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Keuka Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,332. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,000. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $54,048. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Dominican College Of Blauvelt placed #14 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,220. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,033. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Dominican College Of Blauvelt earn a median of $68,151 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Touro College earned the #15 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $51,673. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Saint Bonaventure University landed the #16 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,735. Students borrow a median of $25,917 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $43,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Iona College landed the #17 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,260 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $51,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iona College admits about 87% of applicants.
Nazareth College earned the #18 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $52,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Pace University New York earned the #19 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $59,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Clarkson University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,398 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,566 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $68,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,959. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $51,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
New York University earned the #22 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of New York University earn a median of $74,409 early in their careers. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hofstra University earned the #23 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $58,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
Yeshiva University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,800. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Yeshiva University earn a median of $52,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
