Best Occupational Therapy colleges in the U.S.
Occupational therapy is a critical part of recovery for those with illnesses, disabilities, or previous injuries that impede their daily activity and quality of life. As occupational therapists, professionals need to develop strong interpersonal skills, possess the ability to work in both office and hospital environments, and work with a wide range of clients including children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.
Occupational therapists use therapeutic techniques and programs to improve the lives of their patients by minimizing their current ailments and fostering a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle. They develop improvement plans for their clients, assist caregivers with training, and document the progress of their clients from start to finish.
Becoming an occupational therapist typically requires a four-year bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and state-specific licensing. Occupational therapy programs typically require in-person coursework due to the interpersonal nature of the job, but there are online options for those interested in pursuing associate-level degrees before they transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that opportunities in this field will grow by 17 percent in the next decade, a much higher growth rate than other professions.
A career in occupational therapy is a rewarding opportunity for professionals with interpersonal skills that are interested in positively impacting people’s lives through the deliberate improvement of their everyday activity. This sector continues to grow and provides thousands of job opportunities annually for qualified graduates.
Best Occupational Therapy colleges in the U.S. for 2023
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus offers 10 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 393 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 153 Bachelor's degrees, 118 Doctoral degrees, 84 Master's degrees, and 38 Certificates.
University of Southern California offers 7 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 355 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 183 Doctoral degrees, 158 Master's degrees, and 14 Bachelor's degrees.
Texas Woman's University offers 6 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2020, 240 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 128 Master's degrees, and 112 Doctoral degrees.
Towson University offers 5 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 80 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 40 Bachelor's degrees, 39 Master's degrees, and 1 Doctoral degree.
Ivy Tech Community College offers 6 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2020, 580 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 526 Certificates, and 54 Associate's degrees.
Loma Linda University offers 7 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 184 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 88 Doctoral degrees, 54 Master's degrees, and 42 Associate's degrees.
Boston University offers 7 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 174 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 124 Doctoral degrees, and 50 Bachelor's degrees.
Midwestern University-Downers Grove offers 4 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 294 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 294 Doctoral degrees.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers 7 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 169 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 94 Doctoral degrees, 39 Associate's degrees, 17 Bachelor's degrees, 13 Master's degrees, and 6 Certificates.
Nova Southeastern University offers 8 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 464 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 411 Doctoral degrees, 51 Master's degrees, and 2 Bachelor's degrees.
Top schools offering Occupational Therapy degrees in the U.S.
Occupational Therapy
- Licensed Practical Nurse Schools
- Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools
- Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage Schools
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
- Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy Schools
- Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor Schools
- Rehabilitation Science Schools
- Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Schools
- Art Therapy/Therapist Schools
- Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Schools
- Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapy Schools
- Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist Schools
- Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering Schools
- Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies Schools
- Dance Therapy/Therapist Schools
- Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Schools
- Animal-Assisted Therapy Schools
List of all Occupational Therapy colleges in the U.S.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences San Marcos, CA | 24 : 1 | 4,711 | |
|
National Holistic Institute Emeryville, CA | 1,071 | ||
|
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA | 18 : 1 | 32,277 | |
|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | 22 : 1 | 46,287 | |
|
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Erie, PA | 65 : 1 | 4,336 | |