2026 Best Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools in the Southwest Region
Occupational Therapist Assistant is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools to find the best for occupational therapist assistant students.
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Best Schools for Occupational Therapist Assistant in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall occupational therapist assistant education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Occupational Therapist Assistant
Our analysis ranked Lone Star College System the best school in the country for a degree in occupational therapist assistant. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. About 42 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $35,884 early in their careers. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $11,553 in student loans.
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Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. There were roughly 20 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $41,121. Students borrow a median of $15,581 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes Southwestern Oklahoma State University one of the top schools for occupational therapist assistant. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southwestern Oklahoma State University awarded about 13 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn around $43,773 in the first couple years of their career. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong occupational therapist assistant program will find one at Austin Community College District, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Austin Community College District awarded about 13 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Austin Community College District earn around $49,448 in the first couple years of their career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $18,457 in student loans.
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Mclennan Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in occupational therapist assistant, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the city of Waco. Mclennan Community College awarded about 10 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete this degree.
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Tyler Junior College placed #6 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. There were roughly 13 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Tyler Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $46,586. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500.
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Weatherford College earned the #7 position for occupational therapist assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Weatherford. Weatherford College awarded about 12 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Weatherford College earn around $51,083 in the first couple years of their career. Weatherford College graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans.
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San Juan College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 10 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at San Juan College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $37,239. Typical student debt for the program is $17,090.
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Del Mar College placed #9 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. There were roughly 15 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Del Mar College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $42,057 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,000.
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San Jacinto Community College landed the #10 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. About 11 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $40,933 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,938 to complete this degree.
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Houston Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. There were roughly 23 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $38,964 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,299 to complete this degree.
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Tulsa Community College placed #12 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. About 16 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Tulsa Community College in the most recent year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $35,879 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,875.
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Amarillo College earned the #13 position for occupational therapist assistant this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. There were roughly 13 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Amarillo College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $49,025. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
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St Philips College earned the #14 position for occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. About 21 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at St Philips College in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from St Philips College earn around $46,461 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
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Parker University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Dallas, Parker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Parker University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Parker University generally make around $38,994. Typical student debt for the program is $30,500.
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South Texas College earned the #16 position for occupational therapist assistant this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. About 20% of students finish within six years. South Texas College awarded about 14 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $32,084. Students borrow a median of $10,378 to complete this degree.
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Oklahoma City Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. There were roughly 28 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma City Community College in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $29,838 early in their careers. Oklahoma City Community College graduates carry a median of $17,648 in student loans.
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Navarro College landed the #18 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public university. About 16 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Navarro College in the most recent year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Navarro College earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,448.
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El Centro College earned the #19 position for occupational therapist assistant this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. About 11 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from El Centro College earn around $27,898 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete this degree.
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Panola College placed #20 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Carthage. Panola College awarded about 11 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year.
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Pima Medical Institute Houston placed #21 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 11 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Pima Medical Institute Houston in the most recent year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Pima Medical Institute Houston earn a median of $38,045 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete this degree.
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Pima Medical Institute Tucson came in at #22 for occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Medical Institute Tucson is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Pima Medical Institute Tucson awarded about 31 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Pima Medical Institute Tucson earn around $42,985 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,667.
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Pima Medical Institute Mesa landed the #23 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute Mesa is a small private for-profit institution. Pima Medical Institute Mesa awarded about 29 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Pima Medical Institute Mesa earn around $38,045 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in occupational therapist assistant from Pima Medical Institute Mesa
Pima Medical Institute El Paso placed #24 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of El Paso. There were roughly 17 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Pima Medical Institute El Paso in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $38,045 in their early career. Pima Medical Institute El Paso graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans.
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Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee landed the #25 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Muskogee. Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee awarded about 18 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee earn a median of $28,526 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 35 schools evaluated.
- 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.
