2026 Best Value Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in Virginia
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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 Virginia
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 Radford University this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $25,514. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Radford University earn a median of $73,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,514 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #2 spot this year. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,187. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $73,640. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $62,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Emory And Henry College, which ranked #4. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,000. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $73,696. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $76,714. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Marymount University landed the #6 spot for occupational therapy/therapist value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Students borrow a median of $26,880 to complete the occupational therapy/therapist program here. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $76,183. That is a strong return on a $26,880 median debt. Marymount University admits about 93% of applicants.
Shenandoah University earned the #7 position for value in occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,950. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $73,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,005 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
