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 2026
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences offers 5 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 1,538 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 1,160 Doctoral degrees, and 378 Master's degrees.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus offers 15 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 372 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 152 Doctoral degrees, 141 Bachelor's degrees, 65 Certificates, and 14 Master's degrees.
National Holistic Institute offers 2 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, less than two-year school in a large suburb. In 2024, 769 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 769 Certificates.
A T Still University of Health Sciences offers 6 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a remote town. In 2024, 459 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 424 Doctoral degrees, and 35 Master's degrees.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine offers 1 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 640 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 640 Doctoral degrees.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts offers 4 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 886 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 735 Certificates, and 151 Associate'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 2024, 237 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 233 Doctoral degrees, and 4 Certificates.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine offers 2 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 486 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 486 Doctoral degrees.
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 2024, 432 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 232 Doctoral degrees, 169 Master's degrees, 22 Certificates, and 9 Bachelor's degrees.
Ivy Tech Community College offers 6 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2024, 1,311 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 1,258 Certificates, and 53 Associate'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 | 19 : 1 | 4,370 | |
|
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA | 18 : 1 | 35,724 | |
|
National Holistic Institute Emeryville, CA | 1,258 | ||
|
A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MO | 18 : 1 | 3,466 | |
|
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Erie, PA | 66 : 1 | 4,133 | |