The best occupational therapy programs, measured by results, are the ones whose graduates pass the NBCOT certification exam year after year. 28 fully accredited OT programs had 100% of new graduates pass in each of their last three reported years, and the median ranked program averaged 95%. Below, 210 OT programs and 182 OTA programs are ranked on NBCOT’s own data, with no reputation surveys or paid placements.
210OT programs ranked
28100% pass rate, 3 years running
95%Median 3-year pass rate
182OTA programs ranked
How we rank OT programs
- Data: NBCOT’s school performance results: the share of each program’s new graduates who passed the certification exam in each calendar year (graduates who passed in that year count, regardless of the number of attempts).
- Score: the average of the program’s three most recent reported years. Ties are broken by the average across all reported years since 2021, then by the latest year.
- Who is included: programs with full ACOTE accreditation that are admitting students and have at least three years of results. New programs in Applicant, Candidacy or Preaccreditation status have no results yet and are listed on our new OT programs page.
- What we don’t use: reputation surveys, university-wide acceptance rates or advertising.
NBCOT data retrieved October 8, 2026. Full year-by-year results for every program: NBCOT pass rates by school.
Top 40 occupational therapy programs
| # | Program | State | Degree | 3-yr avg | Recent years | Published tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AdventHealth University Orlando | FL | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 2 | Belmont University Nashville | TN | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 3 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh | PA | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 4 | East Carolina University Greenville | NC | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 5 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers | FL | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | $26,137 |
| 6 | Mary Baldwin University Fishersville | VA | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | $88,200 |
| 7 | Mass General Brigham University of Health Professions Boston | MA | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 8 | Missouri State University Springfield | MO | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 9 | Nazareth University Rochester | NY | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 10 | Ohio State University Columbus | OH | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 11 | Rush University Chicago | IL | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 12 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill | NC | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 13 | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga | TN | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 14 | University of Toledo Toledo | OH | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse LaCrosse | WI | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 16 | Concordia University Wisconsin Mequon | WI | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 17 | Russell Sage College Troy | NY | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 18 | Towson University Towson | MD | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 19 | Tufts University Medford | MA | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 20 | University of Findlay Findlay | OH | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | $97,092 |
| 21 | Marquette University Milwaukee | WI | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 22 | Mount Mary University Milwaukee | WI | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 23 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock | TX | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 24 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma | WA | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | $147,310 |
| 25 | University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson | MS | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 26 | Indiana University Indianapolis | IN | OTD | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 27 | Indiana State University Terre Haute | IN | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 28 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg | PA | Master’s | 100% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 29 | Augusta University Augusta | GA | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 98% · 2025: 100% | $35,706 |
| 30 | Washington University St. Louis | MO | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 98% | $108,000 |
| 31 | University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston | TX | OTD | 99% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 98% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 32 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston | SC | OTD | 99% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 98% | — |
| 33 | Milligan University Milligan | TN | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 98% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | $64,780 |
| 34 | St. Louis University St. Louis | MO | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 98% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 35 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center | MI | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 98% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 36 | A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences Mesa | AZ | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 98% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 37 | College of St. Scholastica Duluth | MN | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 97% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 38 | Shenandoah University Winchester | VA | OTD | 99% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 97% · 2025: 100% | — |
| 39 | Maryville University St. Louis | MO | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 97% | $65,292 |
| 40 | University of Scranton Scranton | PA | Master’s | 99% | 2023: 99% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 98% | — |
— = the program does not publish full-program tuition in a form we could verify. Tuition is as published by each school (residency and cohort year vary); see each program page for the source.
Best OTD programs
The top entry-level doctoral programs by three-year NBCOT results. All 84 ranked OTDs, and every OTD in the country, are on entry-level OTD programs.
- Belmont University (Nashville, TN) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Mary Baldwin University (Fishersville, VA) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Mass General Brigham University of Health Professions (Boston, MA) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Rush University (Chicago, IL) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of Toledo (Toledo, OH) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Concordia University Wisconsin (Mequon, WI) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Russell Sage College (Troy, NY) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Towson University (Towson, MD) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Tufts University (Medford, MA) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of Findlay (Findlay, OH) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Mount Mary University (Milwaukee, WI) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Lubbock, TX) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, MS) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Indiana University (Indianapolis, IN) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston, TX) · 99% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 98% · 2025: 100%
Best master’s OT programs (MOT/MSOT)
Master’s programs are usually shorter and cheaper than OTDs and lead to the same exam and license. Master’s vs. doctorate · all master’s programs.
- AdventHealth University (Orlando, FL) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- East Carolina University (Greenville, NC) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers, FL) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Missouri State University (Springfield, MO) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Nazareth University (Rochester, NY) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse (LaCrosse, WI) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Indiana State University (Terre Haute, IN) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, PA) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Augusta University (Augusta, GA) · 99% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 98% · 2025: 100%
- Washington University (St. Louis, MO) · 99% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 98%
- Milligan University (Milligan, TN) · 99% avg · 2023: 98% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- St. Louis University (St. Louis, MO) · 99% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 98% · 2025: 100%
- Saginaw Valley State University (University Center, MI) · 99% avg · 2023: 98% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences (Mesa, AZ) · 99% avg · 2023: 98% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, MN) · 99% avg · 2023: 97% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Maryville University (St. Louis, MO) · 99% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 97%
- University of Scranton (Scranton, PA) · 99% avg · 2023: 99% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 98%
- Carroll University (Waukesha, WI) · 99% avg · 2023: 96% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Idaho State University (Pocatello, ID) · 99% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 96%
Best value: high pass rates, lower tuition
Programs with a three-year NBCOT average of 95% or higher, sorted by their published full-program tuition (lowest first). Public universities often charge less for state residents, so check residency rules. OT school cost.
| Program | State | Degree | Published tuition | 3-yr avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Gulf Coast University | FL | Master’s | $26,137 | 100% |
| Augusta University | GA | Master’s | $35,706 | 99% |
| University of New Hampshire | NH | Master’s | $37,100 | 96% |
| University of Florida | FL | OTD | $56,784 | 99% |
| Muskingum University | OH | Master’s | $63,480 | 96% |
| Milligan University | TN | Master’s | $64,780 | 99% |
| Maryville University | MO | Master’s | $65,292 | 99% |
| Cleveland State University | OH | OTD | $66,217 | 95% |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | NC | Master’s | $66,492 | 96% |
| Grand Valley State University | MI | Master’s | $76,140 | 97% |
| Carroll University | WI | Master’s | $79,120 | 99% |
| Shenandoah University | VA | Master’s | $79,606 | 97% |
| Mary Baldwin University | VA | OTD | $88,200 | 100% |
| Huntington University | IN | OTD | $89,000 | 98% |
| University of Findlay | OH | OTD | $97,092 | 100% |
Best OTA programs
Occupational therapy assistant programs ranked the same way, on the NBCOT COTA exam. All OTA programs by state · how to become an OTA.
- Austin Community College (Austin, TX) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte, NC) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley (Kansas City, MO) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Rhodes State College (Lima, OH) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Spokane Falls Community College (Spokane, WA) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- River Valley Community College (Claremont, NH) · 100% avg · 2022: 100% · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100%
- Durham Technical Community College (Durham, NC) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Grand Rapids Community College (Grand Rapids, MI) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Mott Community College (Fenton, MI) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- South Texas College (McAllen, TX) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- St. Louis Community College-Forest Park (St. Louis, MO) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Linn-Benton Community College-Healthcare Occupations Center (Lebanon, OR) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Fox Valley Technical College (Appleton, WI) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa, IA) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Central Methodist University (Fayette, MO) · 100% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- Salt Lake Community College (West Jordan, UT) · 99% avg · 2023: 96% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 100%
- University of Louisiana at Monroe (Monroe, LA) · 99% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 96% · 2025: 100%
- Cabarrus College of Health Sciences (Concord, NC) · 98% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 95% · 2025: 100%
- Community College of Allegheny County/Boyce Campus (Monroeville, PA) · 98% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 95% · 2025: 100%
- Sinclair Community College (Dayton, OH) · 98% avg · 2023: 100% · 2024: 100% · 2025: 94%
Top-ranked OT program in each state
The highest-ranked program in each state on this list, with a link to every program in that state.
How to choose the right program for you
- Outcomes: a consistently high NBCOT pass rate is a good sign; one bad year in a small cohort is less worrying than a falling trend.
- Cost and length: compare total published cost and months to graduation. Accelerated programs save time.
- Format: hybrid programs and part-time programs suit working students.
- Admissions: check GPA, GRE and observation-hour rules. Easiest OT programs to get into · no-GRE programs.
- Side by side: use the compare tool or the program finder.