Methodology
Rankings are useful only when readers can audit them.
Every score on The OT Index includes source data, weighting, date, caveats, and a clear separation between official measures and editorial judgment.
Primary sourcesVisible weightsMissing-data rulesUpdate cadence
Scoring discipline
The ranking contract
Every ranking on The OT Index follows the same publishing standard, regardless of whether it covers schools, cities, employers, specialties, or tools.
- 1Start with official data
Prefer public primary sources: ACOTE, NBCOT, College Scorecard, BLS OEWS, BLS OOH, CMS Provider Data, and state board records. - 2Normalize before scoring
Convert raw measures into comparable signals, adjust for cohort size and missing data, and keep the source timestamp visible. - 3Rank for decisions, not vanity
Every ranking answers a specific decision for an applicant, new grad, experienced clinician, employer, or private practice owner. - 4Separate facts from judgment
Published tables show official source data separately from The OT Index editorial scoring so readers can audit the result.
Roadmap
How coverage expands
The OT Index grows from source-backed guides into a profile database for schools, cities, employers, specialties, and tools.
- Available nowSource-backed career rankings, school methodology, and ranking hub pages.
- Data importIngest ACOTE directory, NBCOT pass rates, public tuition, College Scorecard, BLS OEWS, and CMS provider data.
- ProfilesCreate school, metro, state, setting, employer, specialty, and CEU/tool profile pages.
- Community layerAdd verified salary reports, fieldwork reviews, employer reviews, and methodology feedback loops.
Source stack
Primary data before opinions
Source coverage is the foundation. Community and employer feedback improves the model without replacing official data.