2027 Best Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southeast Region
Occupational Therapy/Therapist degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for occupational therapy/therapist students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Occupational Therapy/Therapist in the Southeast Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the occupational therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Occupational Therapy/Therapist
Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 school for occupational therapy/therapist. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 45 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $68,778 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Duke University
A rank of #2 makes Belmont University one of the top schools for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 86 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $73,552 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Memphis. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 28 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $71,678 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,679.
More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $74,189. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong occupational therapy/therapist program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $76,714 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218.
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Marymount University came in at #6 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 16 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Marymount University in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Marymount University earn around $76,183 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,880 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #7 among the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 27 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $58,000 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans.
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University Of Arkansas earned the #8 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $52,555 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,019.
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Wingate University landed the #9 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 20 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Wingate University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Wingate University earn around $73,520 in the first couple years of their career. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans.
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Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Concord. About 32 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences generally make around $60,869. Students borrow a median of $24,414 to complete this degree.
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University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #11 among the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $72,211 early in their careers. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans.
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Shenandoah University landed the #12 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Shenandoah University graduates 66% of students within six years. Shenandoah University awarded about 83 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $73,888. Students borrow a median of $26,005 to complete this degree.
See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Shenandoah University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #13 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 21 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $72,301. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete this degree.
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Lincoln Memorial University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Harrogate. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 42 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $64,307 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,693.
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Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans earned the #15 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of New Orleans. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans awarded about 34 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans earn around $69,715 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans graduates carry a median of $31,146 in student loans.
Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
Medical University Of South Carolina landed the #16 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. Medical University Of South Carolina awarded about 75 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Medical University Of South Carolina earn a median of $70,205 early in their careers. Medical University Of South Carolina graduates carry a median of $29,043 in student loans.
See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Medical University Of South Carolina
Jacksonville University landed the #17 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 18 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Jacksonville University in the most recent year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $72,608 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,619.
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Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #18 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 43 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $62,881. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813.
See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Virginia Commonwealth University
Florida International University earned the #19 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Florida International University awarded about 44 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $63,249. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete this degree.
See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Florida International University
University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #20 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Louisiana Monroe awarded about 46 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $83,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,465 to complete this degree.
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Radford University earned the #21 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $73,972. Radford University graduates carry a median of $25,514 in student loans.
More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Radford University
East Carolina University earned the #22 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 23 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $56,764. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 19 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Arkansas State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Arkansas State University Main Campus earn around $70,150 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,399.
See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Arkansas State University Main Campus
Emory And Henry College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 32 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Emory And Henry College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $73,696 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,938.
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University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 37 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 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.