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2024 Best Occupational Therapy Schools

197 Colleges in the United States
9,958 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in occupational therapy, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #83 most popular program in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 197 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Occupational Therapy Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 9,958 degrees in occupational therapy to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Occupational Therapy School

Best Occupational Therapy Schools Your choice of occupational therapy school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Occupational Therapy School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Occupational Therapy Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Occupational Therapy
Bachelor's Degrees in Occupational Therapy
Master's Degrees in Occupational Therapy
Doctor's Degrees in Occupational Therapy

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Occupational Therapy Schools list to help you make the college decision. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Occupational Therapy in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the occupational therapy degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Occupational Therapy

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
235 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

University of Southern California is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in occupational therapy. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 235 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from University of Southern California

2
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In CA
56 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

It's hard to beat Loma Linda University if you want to pursue a degree in occupational therapy. Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Loma Linda.

There were approximately 56 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Loma Linda University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TX
76 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

The University of Texas Medical Branch is a wonderful choice for students interested in a degree in occupational therapy. UTMB Galveston is a small public university located in the fringe town of Galveston.

There were approximately 76 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at UTMB Galveston in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from The University of Texas Medical Branch

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
491 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Any student pursuing a degree in occupational therapy needs to check out University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Located in the large suburb of San Marcos, USAHS is a private for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

There were roughly 491 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at USAHS in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In TX
52 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in occupational therapy. Located in the large city of Lubbock, TTUHSC is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.

There were about 52 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at TTUHSC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

5
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In NY
83 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 83 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from New York University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In NY
57 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 57 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Columbia University in the City of New York

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In CA
60 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies is a private for-profit university with a fairly small student population.

There were about 60 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In CA
51 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Oakland.

There were approximately 51 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Samuel Merritt University

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In TX
44 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of San Antonio, UT Health San Antonio is a public university with a small student population.

There were roughly 44 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at UT Health San Antonio in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In PA
164 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Thomas Jefferson University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 8th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 164 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Thomas Jefferson University

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In WI

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were approximately 30 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from University of Wisconsin - Madison

12
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MA
73 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were about 73 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Boston University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MO
50 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

A T Still University of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Kirksville.

There were approximately 50 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at A T Still University of Health Sciences in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from A T Still University of Health Sciences

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In SC

MUSC is a small public university located in the city of Charleston.

There were roughly 12 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at MUSC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Medical University of South Carolina

15
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In VA
58 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Winchester, Shenandoah is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 9th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 58 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Shenandoah University

16
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In PA
62 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Duquesne is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 14th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 62 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Duquesne University

17
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

UF is a very large public university located in the city of Gainesville. This university ranks 1st out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.More information about a degree in occupational therapy from University of Florida

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In UT

RMUoHP is a small private for-profit university located in the midsize city of Provo.

There were about 17 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at RMUoHP in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In PA
70 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Pitt is a very large public university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 7th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 70 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
52 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Midwestern University - Downers Grove is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Downers Grove.

There were roughly 52 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern University - Downers Grove in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Midwestern University - Downers Grove

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MN
46 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were roughly 46 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

21
Pacific crest
Pacific University
Forest Grove, OR
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OR
39 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Pacific is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Forest Grove. This university ranks 1st out of 30 schools for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were approximately 39 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Pacific in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Pacific University

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In AZ
36 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Midwestern University - Glendale is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Glendale.

There were approximately 36 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern University - Glendale in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Midwestern University - Glendale

23
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In MA
49 Occupational Therapy Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Tufts is a great university overall.

There were about 49 occupational therapy students who graduated with this degree at Tufts in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in occupational therapy from Tufts University

Rest of the Top Best Occupational Therapy Schools

26
27
28
29

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Occupational Therapy Schools award.

Rank College Location
30 Touro University Nevada Henderson, NV
31 University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
32 University of Scranton Scranton, PA
33 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
34 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
35 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
36 Creighton University Omaha, NE
37 Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
38 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
39 Salus University Elkins Park, PA

Occupational Therapy by Region

View the Best Occupational Therapy Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 16 majors within the Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions area of study, Occupational Therapy has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Physical Therapy/Therapist 13,655
Rehabilitation Science 1,161
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling 1,046
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy 870
Art Therapy 858
Other Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions 837
Music Therapy 665
Orthotist/Prosthetist 335
Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering 117
Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist 110

View All Occupational Therapy Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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