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School ranking

Best OT Programs Overall

A source-backed ranking of active OT master's and doctoral programs that balances NBCOT outcomes, outcome consistency, ACOTE review runway, format clarity, and profile completeness.

OT schoolsOverall rankingNBCOT outcomesACOTE matched
PublishedUpdated June 25, 2026NBCOT 2021-2025 public school-performance rows matched to active ACOTE OT master's and doctoral program profiles.

Ranking table

Top OT programs by overall source-backed score

Official data is kept separate from The OT Index scoring and interpretation so readers can see what is measured and what is judgment.

RankOptionScoreOutcome signalProgram contextBest forWatch out for
1MGH Institute of Health Professions98.6100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2033/2034Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Boston, MA. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
2University of Tennessee at Chattanooga98.6100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2033/2034Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Chattanooga, TN. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
3East Carolina University98.3100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2034/2035Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Greenville, NC. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
4Missouri State University98.3100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2033/2034Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Springfield, MO. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
5Duquesne University97.8100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Pittsburgh, PA. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
6Mary Baldwin University97.6100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Staunton, VA. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
7Ohio State University97.6100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Columbus, OH. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
8Kettering College97.5100% NBCOT in 2025; 98.4% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2034/2035Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Beavercreek, OH. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
9Washington University97.4100% NBCOT in 2025; 99.0% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2034/2035Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.St. Louis, MO. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
10A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences97.3100% NBCOT in 2025; 98.8% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2035/2036Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Mesa, AZ. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
11Washington University97.298% NBCOT in 2025; 99.6% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2034/2035Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.St. Louis, MO. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
12Indiana Wesleyan University97.1100% NBCOT in 2025; 98.6% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2034/2035Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Marion, IN. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
13College of St. Scholastica97.0100% NBCOT in 2025; 99.4% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2031/2032Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Duluth, MN. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
14Murray State University-Paducah Regional Campus97.0100% NBCOT in 2025; 97.6% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2034/2035Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Paducah, KY. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
15Saginaw Valley State University96.9100% NBCOT in 2025; 98.8% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2031/2032Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.University Center, MI. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
16Indiana State University96.8100% NBCOT in 2025; 99.2% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Terre Haute, IN. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
17Milligan University96.8100% NBCOT in 2025; 99.0% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2031/2032Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Milligan, TN. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
18AdventHealth University96.6100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2029/2030Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Orlando, FL. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
19University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill96.6100% NBCOT in 2025; 100.0% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2030/2031Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Chapel Hill, NC. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
20Maryville University96.597% NBCOT in 2025; 98.8% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2033/2034Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.St. Louis, MO. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
21James Madison University96.3100% NBCOT in 2025; 98.2% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Harrisonburg, VA. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
22Augusta University96.2100% NBCOT in 2025; 99.6% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2030/2031Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Augusta, GA. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
23St. Catherine University96.2100% NBCOT in 2025; 97.4% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.St. Paul, MN. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
24University of New England96.1100% NBCOT in 2025; 97.0% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2034/2035Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Portland, ME. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
25Midwestern University-Glendale Campus96.096% NBCOT in 2025; 98.8% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2034/2035Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Glendale, AZ. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
26Cabarrus College of Health Sciences95.997% NBCOT in 2025; 97.8% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Concord, NC. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
27Carroll University95.8100% NBCOT in 2025; 99.2% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2030/2031Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Waukesha, WI. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
28Nebraska Methodist College95.8100% NBCOT in 2025; 96.8% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Omaha, NE. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
29California State University, Dominguez Hills95.798% NBCOT in 2025; 98.4% five-year averageOT Masters; ACOTE next review 2032/2033Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Carson, CA. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.
30Virginia Commonwealth University95.795% NBCOT in 2025; 98.6% five-year averageOT Doctorate; ACOTE next review 2035/2036Applicants who want a balanced shortlist based on board-exam outcomes, accreditation runway, format clarity, and source coverage.Richmond, VA. This ranking does not include program-specific tuition, scholarships, fieldwork quality, or cohort size.

Methodology

How this ranking is weighted

Each ranking has its own weighting model. The table below shows the factors readers should consider before treating any rank as a final answer.

Latest NBCOT pass rate35%

NBCOT 2025 passing percentage for the matched OT master's or doctoral program.

Five-year NBCOT average30%

Average NBCOT passing percentage across 2021-2025 rows, requiring five years for this published ranking.

Consistency floor15%

The lowest NBCOT passing percentage across the five-year window, used to reward steadier outcomes.

ACOTE review runway10%

Next listed ACOTE on-site review window, used as a program-stability signal for active accredited programs.

Format and profile clarity10%

Delivery-format listing and source-profile completeness from the ACOTE-backed program record.

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