Wisconsin · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Wisconsin
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Wisconsin has 6 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (6 associate, 0 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Wisconsin earn a median $59,960 a year.
Compare OTA programs in Wisconsin
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 Valley Technical College Appleton | Associate | 100% | — | $14,055* | — |
| Northwood Technical College-Ashland Campus Ashland | Associate | 92% | — | — | — |
| Western Technical College LaCrosse | Associate | 89% | — | — | Summer |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa Campus Wauwatosa | Associate | 82% | — | — | — |
| Madison Area Technical College Madison | Associate | 77% | 2 years | — | Fall |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee | Associate | 67% | — | — | — |
— = 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 Wisconsin
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa Campus OTA associate degree | Wauwatosa | See program | See program | 82% ’25 | Accredited |
| Fox Valley Technical College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Appleton | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Madison Area Technical College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Madison | 2 years | Some online / some in person | 77% ’25 | Accredited |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College OTA associate degree | Milwaukee | See program | See program | 67% ’25 | Accredited |
| Northwood Technical College-Ashland Campus OTA associate degree | Ashland | See program | See program | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| Western Technical College OTA associate degree | LaCrosse | See program | Mostly face-to-face (a few online/blended courses) | 89% ’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 Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin programs offer the most flexibility, based on the school’s own description or ACOTE’s distance-education figure:
- Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa Campus (Wauwatosa) — ACOTE: 50-74% delivered by distance education
- Madison Area Technical College (Madison) — format: Some online / some in person — ACOTE: 50-74% delivered by distance education
- Northwood Technical College-Ashland Campus (Ashland) — ACOTE: 50-74% delivered by distance education
Pay in Wisconsin
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Wisconsin are licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board). How to get licensed in Wisconsin → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Wisconsin?
ACOTE lists 6 occupational therapy assistant programs at 6 schools in Wisconsin: 6 associate-degree and 0 bachelor's-degree.
How long is OTA school in Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Wisconsin was $59,960 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Wisconsin?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin has 12 OT programs; see OT schools in Wisconsin and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.