School value profile
San Jose State University OT value profile
Review why San Jose State University ranks #2 in The OT Index public-program value ranking, including institution-level cost, debt, completion, state labor-market context, and matched ACOTE program profiles.
Value rank #275.0 value score$8,410 in-state tuition$15,000 median debt
Value snapshot
Cost, debt, completion, and career-return context
This profile keeps College Scorecard institution-level measures separate from ACOTE and NBCOT program-specific context so applicants can see what is known and what still needs direct confirmation.
Our take
San Jose State University value assessment
Why it stands out
- $8,410 in-state tuition is $2,062 below the public-program midpoint in this comparison. That is a meaningful recurring price advantage.
- $15,000 median debt is $5,951 below the midpoint, so lower published tuition appears to translate into lower borrowing at the institution level.
- 69% completion is above the comparison midpoint, which matters because affordability is more compelling when students are also completing at a strong rate.
Tradeoffs that matter
- The headline price is in-state tuition. An applicant who does not qualify for resident pricing should not expect the #2 value case to carry over unchanged.
- The matched pathway includes an entry-level doctorate. Even at a high-value public institution, that route asks for more time in school than a master's pathway to the same OT credential.
What to compare next
- Compare San Jose State University with the two nearest-ranked public options on tuition and debt separately; similar value scores can be driven by different affordability strengths.
- Compare the matched OT doctorate and OT master's programs profile on degree and delivery format before treating the institution-level price advantage as a program-level win.
- Put California's labor-market score beside the state where you expect to work after graduation; local value is less relevant when the likely first job is elsewhere.
Applicant read
What makes this school look affordable—or not
The value score is strongest when low cost, manageable debt, institution-wide completion strength, and local labor-market opportunity point in the same direction.
Published tuition
The published in-state tuition is unusually low for an OT pathway, which is why this institution ranks highly for value.
Median debt
The institution-wide median debt is low enough to reinforce the affordability case rather than contradict it.
Completion rate
The institution-wide completion rate is respectable but not exceptional, so it provides only modest support for the value case.
State opportunity
California strengthens the value case because its BLS pay and employment figures compare well with other states.
Program profiles
Linked ACOTE program profiles
Open the program-level profiles before treating the institution-level value score as an application decision.
| Program profile | Value context | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose State University OT doctorate profile | OT doctorate and OT master's programs; ACOTE next on-site review 2031/2032. | Open profile |
| San Jose State University OT master's profile | OT doctorate and OT master's programs; ACOTE next on-site review 2031/2032. | Open profile |
Compare value options
Other public OT value profiles
Compare the value score against other public options before narrowing your application list.
Rank #4
California State University, Dominguez Hills
$7,449 in-state tuition; $13,807 median debt; 71.0 value score.
Open value profile Rank #1University of Florida
$6,381 in-state tuition; $15,000 median debt; 79.1 value score.
Open value profile Rank #3Florida International University
$6,565 in-state tuition; $16,500 median debt; 73.0 value score.
Open value profile
San Jose State University is a genuinely strong public-value lead for an in-state applicant. Both tuition and debt beat the comparison midpoint, so the #2 rank is supported by two affordability measures rather than one unusually low number. The 69% completion rate supports the case.