by our College Data Analytics Team
[Occupational Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Briar Cliff University earned the #1 spot for value among occupational therapy/therapist schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,642. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $29,918 in student loans. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in occupational therapy/therapist will find it at Saint Ambrose University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Typical student debt for occupational therapy/therapist graduates is $27,528. Early-career occupational therapy/therapist graduates make about $70,244. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Drake University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Drake University earn a median of $68,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.