2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $74,189 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $63,249. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

3

Northwest Mississippi Community College
Senatobia, MS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Mississippi Community College earned it the #3 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $9,990. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Murray State University
Murray, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #4 place for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $65,290 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $20,900. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $72,578. That is a strong return on a $20,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

6

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #6 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $72,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.

7

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #7 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $58,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

8

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #8 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $22,465. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $83,514. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

9

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #9 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $72,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

10

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #10 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $64,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

11

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $70,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

12

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University placed #12 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $29,489. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $67,436. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

13

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #13 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

14

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $74,912. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

Tennessee Wesleyan College
Athens, TN

Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #15 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,814 in tuition and fees. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Wesleyan College admits about 69% of applicants.

16

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $73,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

17

Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University came in at #17 for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $58,227. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.

18

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University landed the #18 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $56,764. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

19

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,514 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $73,972. That is a strong return on a $25,514 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

20

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University landed the #20 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $70,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

21

Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences
Concord, NC

Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Concord, Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,550. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $24,414. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $60,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,414 median debt. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $52,555. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

23

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #23 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $48,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.

24

University Of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

University Of Central Arkansas placed #24 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $22,920. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $70,111. Set against $22,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

25

Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University placed #25 among the best values for occupational therapy/therapist. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $33,000. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $54,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alabama State University admits about 98% of applicants.