Ranking table
Top hybrid and distance-format OT programs
Official data is kept separate from The OT Index scoring and interpretation so readers can see what is measured and what is judgment.
| Rank | Option | Score | ACOTE distance range | NBCOT context | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | 98.2 | 75-100% distance listed by ACOTE | 97% NBCOT in 2025; 97.8% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Concord, NC. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 2 | Idaho State University | 98.2 | 75-100% distance listed by ACOTE | 96% NBCOT in 2025; 99.2% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Pocatello, ID. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 3 | Muskingum University | 97.0 | 75-100% distance listed by ACOTE | 95% NBCOT in 2025; 96.6% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in New Concord, OH. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 4 | Russell Sage College | 93.1 | 75-100% distance listed by ACOTE | 86% NBCOT in 2025; 94.8% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Troy, NY. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 5 | Nebraska Methodist College | 90.0 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 100% NBCOT in 2025; 96.8% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Omaha, NE. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 6 | Grand Valley State University | 90.0 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 98% NBCOT in 2025; 97.8% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Grand Rapids, MI. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 7 | University of Texas at Tyler | 89.6 | 25-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 96% NBCOT in 2025; 98.4% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Tyler, TX. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 8 | Shawnee State University | 89.3 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 100% NBCOT in 2025; 95.8% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Portsmouth, OH. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 9 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | 88.5 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 95% NBCOT in 2025; 96.0% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Monroe, LA. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 10 | Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale | 88.3 | 75-100% distance listed by ACOTE | 86% NBCOT in 2025; 81.0% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 11 | Shenandoah University | 88.3 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 95% NBCOT in 2025; 96.2% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Winchester, VA. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 12 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-St. Augustine Campus | 85.3 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 87% NBCOT in 2025; 95.8% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Doctorate in St. Augustine, FL. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 13 | Walsh University | 85.3 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 87% NBCOT in 2025; 95.6% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in North Canton, OH. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 14 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Austin Campus | 85.1 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 88% NBCOT in 2025; 93.4% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Austin, TX. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 15 | Nova Southeastern University-Tampa Bay Regional Campus | 84.8 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 86% NBCOT in 2025; 95.0% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Doctorate in Clearwater, FL. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 16 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-St. Augustine Campus | 84.3 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 85% NBCOT in 2025; 94.6% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in St. Augustine, FL. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 17 | Duquesne University | 84.3 | 25-49% distance listed by ACOTE | 100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Doctorate in Pittsburgh, PA. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 18 | University of Findlay | 83.9 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 85% NBCOT in 2025; 93.4% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Findlay, OH. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 19 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus | 83.8 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 85% NBCOT in 2025; 92.6% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in San Marcos, CA. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 20 | Concordia University Wisconsin | 83.1 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 83% NBCOT in 2025; 93.2% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Mequon, WI. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 21 | Belmont University | 82.6 | 25-49% distance listed by ACOTE | 97% NBCOT in 2025; 98.4% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Nashville, TN. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 22 | Pacific University | 82.5 | 25-49% distance listed by ACOTE | 97% NBCOT in 2025; 97.6% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Doctorate in Hillsboro, OR. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 23 | St. Catherine University | 82.3 | 25-49% distance listed by ACOTE | 100% NBCOT in 2025; 96.4% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Doctorate in St. Paul, MN. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 24 | New England Institute of Technology | 80.1 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 85% NBCOT in 2025; 83.4% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in East Greenwich, RI. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 25 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Austin Campus | 80.0 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 78% NBCOT in 2025; 88.8% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Doctorate in Austin, TX. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 26 | Misericordia University | 80.0 | 25-49% distance listed by ACOTE | 93% NBCOT in 2025; 95.6% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Dallas, PA. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 27 | Cox College | 80.0 | 25-49% distance listed by ACOTE | 91% NBCOT in 2025; 97.6% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Springfield, MO. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 28 | Bay Path University-East Longmeadow Campus | 79.5 | 50-74% distance listed by ACOTE | 78% NBCOT in 2025; 87.0% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in East Longmeadow, MA. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 29 | Baylor University | 79.5 | 25-49% distance listed by ACOTE | 93% NBCOT in 2025; 93.4% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Doctorate in Waco, TX. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |
| 30 | Thomas Jefferson University-East Falls Campus | 78.7 | 25-49% distance listed by ACOTE | 88% NBCOT in 2025; 97.0% five-year average | Applicants who need a lower-campus format but still want active accreditation and source-matched outcomes. | OT Masters in Philadelphia, PA. ACOTE distance ranges are not residency schedules; confirm labs, fieldwork, and campus visits with the program. |