Ranking report card
What this ranking covers
Ranking table
States ranked for OT school choice
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 | Ranked program depth | Top program and value context | Best for | Watch out for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 84.3 | 13 ranked OT programs; 22 active OT pathways | California State University, Dominguez Hills; 2 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 2 | Florida | 83.6 | 13 ranked OT programs; 16 active OT pathways | AdventHealth University; 4 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: AdventHealth University in Orlando, FL. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 82.8 | 9 ranked OT programs; 12 active OT pathways | MGH Institute of Health Professions; 2 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 82.0 | 14 ranked OT programs; 26 active OT pathways | University of Scranton; 3 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: University of Scranton in Scranton, PA. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 5 | Ohio | 81.9 | 7 ranked OT programs; 12 active OT pathways | Ohio State University; 5 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 6 | Illinois | 80.4 | 7 ranked OT programs; 11 active OT pathways | Rush University; 4 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Rush University in Chicago, IL. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 7 | Virginia | 80.0 | 6 ranked OT programs; 10 active OT pathways | Mary Baldwin University; 5 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, VA. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 8 | New Jersey | 78.1 | 4 ranked OT programs; 7 active OT pathways | Stockton University; 3 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Stockton University in Galloway, NJ. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 9 | North Carolina | 77.5 | 6 ranked OT programs; 12 active OT pathways | East Carolina University; 5 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 10 | Texas | 76.9 | 4 ranked OT programs; 19 active OT pathways | University of Texas at Tyler; 5 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler, TX. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 11 | Indiana | 76.8 | 6 ranked OT programs; 9 active OT pathways | Indiana Wesleyan University; 3 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 12 | Michigan | 76.0 | 5 ranked OT programs; 9 active OT pathways | Saginaw Valley State University; 6 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 13 | Missouri | 75.2 | 6 ranked OT programs; 9 active OT pathways | Missouri State University; 2 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 14 | Tennessee | 74.9 | 7 ranked OT programs; 9 active OT pathways | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; 3 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 15 | New York | 73.6 | 13 ranked OT programs; 29 active OT pathways | Columbia University; 0 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Columbia University in New York, NY. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 71.7 | 5 ranked OT programs; 9 active OT pathways | Carroll University; 2 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 17 | Washington | 71.0 | 3 ranked OT programs; 6 active OT pathways | University of Washington; 2 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 18 | Georgia | 70.2 | 4 ranked OT programs; 6 active OT pathways | Augusta University; 3 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Augusta University in Augusta, GA. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 19 | Arkansas | 70.2 | 2 ranked OT programs; 5 active OT pathways | University of Central Arkansas; 2 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 20 | Minnesota | 69.7 | 3 ranked OT programs; 5 active OT pathways | College of St. Scholastica; 2 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 21 | Arizona | 69.6 | 4 ranked OT programs; 5 active OT pathways | A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences; 1 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, AZ. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 22 | Kentucky | 65.8 | 1 ranked OT programs; 4 active OT pathways | Murray State University-Paducah Regional Campus; 3 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Murray State University-Paducah Regional Campus in Paducah, KY. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 23 | Connecticut | 64.9 | 2 ranked OT programs; 4 active OT pathways | Quinnipiac University; 0 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 24 | Maine | 64.0 | 3 ranked OT programs; 4 active OT pathways | University of New England; 1 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: University of New England in Portland, ME. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. | |
| 25 | New Hampshire | 63.3 | 2 ranked OT programs; 3 active OT pathways | University of New Hampshire; 1 public value profiles | Applicants who want to choose a state first, then compare local OT programs, public value signals, and labor-market context. | Top ranked state shortlist profile: University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. Verify cost, admissions, fieldwork geography, and commute before applying. |
Decision guide
How to use this ranking
Use this ranking when geography is part of the school decision and you want to compare states before choosing individual OT programs.
Use it this way
- Start with the state ranking to find markets with both school depth and career context.
- Open the state page to review the ranked OT shortlist, verification rows, local metros, and full program directory.
- Use the state rank as a location screen, then compare individual programs by outcome history, total cost, fieldwork, format, and admissions fit.
Ask before choosing
- Does the state have multiple ranked OT programs or just one standout option?
- Are there public value profiles that can anchor a lower-debt application list?
- Would I be willing to stay in this state for fieldwork or my first job if the local market shapes my options?