Ranking table
Public OT programs ranked by value signals
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 | Published cost signal | Debt and completion context | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose State University | 86.0 | $8,410 in-state tuition | $15,000 median debt; 69% completion | Applicants prioritizing public tuition, accredited OT pathways, and a state labor market with stronger OT opportunity signals. | OT doctorate and OT master's programs; ACOTE next on-site review 2031/2032. College Scorecard data is institution-level, not OT-program-specific. |
| 2 | University of Washington | 66.2 | $12,973 in-state tuition | $14,615 median debt; 85% completion | Applicants prioritizing public tuition, accredited OT pathways, and a state labor market with stronger OT opportunity signals. | OT master's program; ACOTE next on-site review 2031/2032. College Scorecard data is institution-level, not OT-program-specific. |
| 3 | Colorado State University | 48.2 | $13,373 in-state tuition | $20,000 median debt; 67% completion | Applicants prioritizing public tuition, accredited OT pathways, and a state labor market with stronger OT opportunity signals. | OT doctorate program; ACOTE next on-site review 2031/2032. College Scorecard data is institution-level, not OT-program-specific. |
| 4 | University of Illinois Chicago | 42.2 | $14,338 in-state tuition | $16,704 median debt; 62% completion | Applicants prioritizing public tuition, accredited OT pathways, and a state labor market with stronger OT opportunity signals. | OT doctorate program; ACOTE next on-site review 2031/2032. College Scorecard data is institution-level, not OT-program-specific. |
| 5 | Rutgers University-Newark | 38.6 | $17,250 in-state tuition | $21,500 median debt; 64% completion | Applicants prioritizing public tuition, accredited OT pathways, and a state labor market with stronger OT opportunity signals. | OT doctorate and OT master's programs; ACOTE next on-site review 2030/2031. College Scorecard data is institution-level, not OT-program-specific. |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh | 20.0 | $21,926 in-state tuition | $24,250 median debt; 86% completion | Applicants prioritizing public tuition, accredited OT pathways, and a state labor market with stronger OT opportunity signals. | OT doctorate program; ACOTE next on-site review 2026/2027. College Scorecard data is institution-level, not OT-program-specific. |