Iowa · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Iowa
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Iowa has 3 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (3 associate, 0 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Iowa earn a median $64,140 a year.
Compare OTA programs in Iowa
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa | Associate | 100% | 21 months (7 terms) | $21,486* | Fall |
| Kirkwood Community College-Linn County Regional Center Hiawatha | Associate | 88% | — | $27,701* | — |
| Hawkeye Community College Waterloo | Associate | 67% | — | $21,630* | January |
— = 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 Iowa
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawkeye Community College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Waterloo | See program | Daytime; face-to-face and hybrid | 67% ’25 | Accredited |
| Indian Hills Community College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Ottumwa | 21 months (7 terms) | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Kirkwood Community College-Linn County Regional Center OTA associate degree | Hiawatha | See program | Full-time only (no part-time track) | 88% ’25 | Accredited |
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.
Online and hybrid OTA programs in Iowa
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 Iowa programs offer the most flexibility, based on the school’s own description or ACOTE’s distance-education figure:
- Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo) — format: Daytime; face-to-face and hybrid — ACOTE: 50-74% delivered by distance education
Pay in Iowa
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Iowa are licensed by the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy. How to get licensed in Iowa → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Iowa?
ACOTE lists 3 occupational therapy assistant programs at 3 schools in Iowa: 3 associate-degree and 0 bachelor's-degree.
How long is OTA school in Iowa?
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 Iowa?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Iowa was $64,140 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Iowa?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Iowa 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. Iowa has 4 OT programs; see OT schools in Iowa and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.