Illinois · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Illinois
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Illinois has 10 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (10 associate, 0 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Illinois earn a median $64,120 a year.
Compare OTA programs in Illinois
NBCOT COTA results, length and published cost side by side. Accredited programs first, sorted by 2025 pass rate.
| Program | Degree | NBCOT 2025 | Length | Published cost | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox College Tinley Park | Associate | 93% | 18 months | — | — |
| McHenry County College Crystal Lake | Associate | 92% | 80 weeks | $13,261* | — |
| Illinois Central College-Peoria Campus Peoria | Associate | 78% | — | — | — |
| Parkland College Champaign | Associate | 78% | — | $22,074* | — |
| Lincoln Land Community College Springfield | Associate | 70% | 2 years | $15,919* | — |
| South Suburban College of Cook County South Holland | Associate | 67% | — | $12,672* | Fall |
| Lewis & Clark Community College Godfrey | Associate | 40% | 2 years | — | — |
| Shawnee Community College Ullin | Associate | 0% | 2 years | $19,616* | — |
| Black Hawk College Candidacy Moline | Associate | — | — | $17,018* | August |
| National Louis University Applicant Chicago | Associate | — | — | — | — |
— = not published or not yet verified. Costs are as each school publishes them (full-program tuition; * = all-in total). NBCOT = share of new graduates passing in 2025. Click a program for sources and quotes.
All OTA programs in Illinois
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox College OTA associate degree | Tinley Park | 18 months (including 4 months of fieldwork) | See program | 93% ’25 | Accredited |
| Illinois Central College-Peoria Campus OTA associate degree | Peoria | See program | See program | 78% ’25 | Accredited |
| Lewis & Clark Community College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Godfrey | 2 years | Full-time or part-time curriculum | 40% ’25 | Accredited |
| Lincoln Land Community College Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Springfield | 2 years | See program | 70% ’25 | Accredited |
| McHenry County College Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS | Crystal Lake | 80 weeks | See program | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| Parkland College OTA associate degree | Champaign | See program | See program | 78% ’25 | Accredited |
| Shawnee Community College OTA associate degree | Ullin | 2 years | In person, with portions of selected courses online | 0% ’25 | Accredited |
| South Suburban College of Cook County Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | South Holland | See program | See program | 67% ’25 | Accredited |
| Black Hawk College Associate in Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant | Moline | See program | On-campus (Quad-Cities Campus) | — | Candidacy |
| National Louis University OTA associate degree | Chicago | See program | See program | — | Applicant |
Status and degree level from the ACOTE directory. Length and format only where confirmed on the program’s own website. NBCOT = share of the program’s new graduates who passed the NBCOT exam in the latest year reported (NBCOT school performance data, retrieved 2026-10-08); new programs have no results yet.
OTA schools by city in Illinois
Online and hybrid OTA programs in Illinois
No OTA program is fully online: every accredited program includes in-person labs and at least 16 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork. These Illinois programs offer the most flexibility, based on the school’s own description or ACOTE’s distance-education figure:
- Shawnee Community College (Ullin) — format: In person, with portions of selected courses online
Pay in Illinois
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Illinois are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. How to get licensed in Illinois → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Illinois?
ACOTE lists 10 occupational therapy assistant programs at 10 schools in Illinois: 10 associate-degree and 0 bachelor's-degree. 2 programs are still working toward full accreditation.
How long is OTA school in Illinois?
Most OTA associate programs take about two years including fieldwork, and every accredited OTA program includes at least 16 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork. Check the length we confirmed for each program in the table above; some schools also require prerequisite courses before you start.
How much do OTAs make in Illinois?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Illinois was $64,120 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Illinois?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Illinois occupational therapy licensing board. See how licensing works.
Can I become an occupational therapist later?
Yes. Many OTAs later complete an OTA-to-OT bridge program. Illinois has 17 OT programs; see OT schools in Illinois and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.