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Lowest-Cost Public OT Programs

Compare public OT programs by published in-state tuition first, then use debt, completion, accreditation timing, and value context before treating price as fit.

Public OTTuitionDebtCollege ScorecardACOTE
PublishedUpdated June 25, 2026ACOTE public OT program matches and College Scorecard institution-level tuition, debt, and completion fields.

Ranking report card

What this ranking covers

Coverage86 rankedPublished ranked cards with search, sorting, and shortlist comparison.
Profile depth86 profilesEvery ranked row opens a deeper profile or decision page.
FreshnessJune 25, 2026ACOTE public OT program matches and College Scorecard institution-level tuition, debt, and completion fields.
Methodology3 factorsWeights sum to 100%, so readers can audit how the rank is built.
Score readComposite scorePrimary-source ranking. Scores compare options inside this ranking, not across every OT decision.

Ranked results

Public OT programs ranked by lowest in-state tuition

Each card separates source data, scoring, fit guidance, and caveats so readers can scan quickly without losing the methodology behind the rank.

86 ranked options
#190.2Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$3,648 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$25,000 median debt; 44%
Location
Pembroke, NC
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$3,648
Median debt
$25,000
Completion
44%
ACOTE review
2032/2033

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Pembroke, NC. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#286.1Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$5,038 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$19,000 median debt; 25%
Location
Cochran, GA
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$5,038
Median debt
$19,000
Completion
25%
ACOTE review
2030/2031

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Cochran, GA. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#382.7Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$5,785 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$23,548 median debt; 53%
Location
Tallahassee, FL
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$5,785
Median debt
$23,548
Completion
53%
ACOTE review
2029/2030

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Tallahassee, FL. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#483.1Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$6,118 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$17,622 median debt; 57%
Location
Fort Myers, FL
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$6,118
Median debt
$17,622
Completion
57%
ACOTE review
2026/2027

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Fort Myers, FL. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#580.3Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$6,126 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$25,000 median debt; 47%
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$6,126
Median debt
$25,000
Completion
47%
ACOTE review
2026/2027

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Winston-Salem, NC. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#683.8Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$6,381 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$15,000 median debt; 91%
Location
Gainesville, FL
Program
OT doctorate program
In-state tuition
$6,381
Median debt
$15,000
Completion
91%
ACOTE review
2027/2028

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate program in Gainesville, FL. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#782.3Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$6,565 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$16,500 median debt; 74%
Location
Miami, FL
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$6,565
Median debt
$16,500
Completion
74%
ACOTE review
2028/2029

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Miami, FL. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#876.9Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$7,361 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$22,750 median debt; 63%
Location
Greenville, NC
Program
OT doctorate and OT master's programs
In-state tuition
$7,361
Median debt
$22,750
Completion
63%
ACOTE review
2032/2033

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate and OT master's programs in Greenville, NC. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#979.6Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$7,449 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$13,807 median debt; 43%
Location
Carson, CA
Program
OT doctorate and OT master's programs
In-state tuition
$7,449
Median debt
$13,807
Completion
43%
ACOTE review
2031/2032

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate and OT master's programs in Carson, CA. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1075.6Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$7,518 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$22,500 median debt; 38%
Location
Shreveport, LA
Program
OT doctorate program
In-state tuition
$7,518
Median debt
$22,500
Completion
38%
ACOTE review
2031/2032

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate program in Shreveport, LA. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1177.1Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$7,579 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$20,231 median debt; 75%
Location
Boone, NC
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$7,579
Median debt
$20,231
Completion
75%
ACOTE review
2032/2033

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Boone, NC. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1276.1Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$7,810 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$17,367 median debt; 35%
Location
Muskogee, OK
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$7,810
Median debt
$17,367
Completion
35%
ACOTE review
2032/2033

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Muskogee, OK. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1375.2Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,090 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$20,500 median debt; 55%
Location
Jonesboro, AR
Program
OT doctorate program
In-state tuition
$8,090
Median debt
$20,500
Completion
55%
ACOTE review
2031/2032

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate program in Jonesboro, AR. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1476.2Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,410 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$15,000 median debt; 69%
Location
San Jose, CA
Program
OT doctorate and OT master's programs
In-state tuition
$8,410
Median debt
$15,000
Completion
69%
ACOTE review
2031/2032

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate and OT master's programs in San Jose, CA. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1573.1Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,414 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$20,500 median debt; 49%
Location
Augusta, GA
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$8,414
Median debt
$20,500
Completion
49%
ACOTE review
2030/2031

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Augusta, GA. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1672.7Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,424 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$21,355 median debt; 40%
Location
South Bend, IN
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$8,424
Median debt
$21,355
Completion
40%
ACOTE review
2029/2030

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in South Bend, IN. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1773.2Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,586 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$19,500 median debt; 43%
Location
Spokane, WA
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$8,586
Median debt
$19,500
Completion
43%
ACOTE review
2034/2035

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Spokane, WA. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1872.0Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,610 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$20,039 median debt; 39%
Location
Pocatello, ID
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$8,610
Median debt
$20,039
Completion
39%
ACOTE review
2029/2030

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Pocatello, ID. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#1969.5Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,616 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$27,000 median debt; 34%
Location
Nashville, TN
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$8,616
Median debt
$27,000
Completion
34%
ACOTE review
2026/2027

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Nashville, TN. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#2073.1Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,640 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$19,218 median debt; 49%
Location
Denton, TX
Program
OT doctorate program
In-state tuition
$8,640
Median debt
$19,218
Completion
49%
ACOTE review
2029/2030

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate program in Denton, TX. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#2172.2Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,664 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$20,903 median debt; 53%
Location
Atlanta, GA
Program
OT doctorate program
In-state tuition
$8,664
Median debt
$20,903
Completion
53%
ACOTE review
2030/2031

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate program in Atlanta, GA. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#2273.8Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$8,994 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$14,000 median debt; 91%
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$8,994
Median debt
$14,000
Completion
91%
ACOTE review
2030/2031

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Chapel Hill, NC. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#2371.1Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$9,011 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$20,500 median debt; 53%
Location
San Antonio, TX
Program
OT doctorate program
In-state tuition
$9,011
Median debt
$20,500
Completion
53%
ACOTE review
2025/2026

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate program in San Antonio, TX. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#2469.9Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$9,098 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$22,300 median debt; 64%
Location
Birmingham, AL
Program
OT doctorate program
In-state tuition
$9,098
Median debt
$22,300
Completion
64%
ACOTE review
2029/2030

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT doctorate program in Birmingham, AL. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

#2570.0Score
Open profile
Published in-state tuitionDebt and completion contextSource-backed
Published in-state tuition$9,190 in-state tuition
Debt and completion context$21,500 median debt; 54%
Location
Monroe, LA
Program
OT master's program
In-state tuition
$9,190
Median debt
$21,500
Completion
54%
ACOTE review
2032/2033

Applicants using public OT programs as a lower-cost anchor before comparing outcomes, format, admissions fit, and fieldwork logistics.

OT master's program in Monroe, LA. Tuition, debt, and completion fields come from College Scorecard institution-level data, not OT-program-specific billing. Confirm current graduate tuition, fees, residency rules, and fieldwork costs with the school.

Decision guide

How to use this ranking

Use this ranking when you need a cost-first OT school screen and want public options that may anchor a lower-debt application list.

Use it this way

  • Start with in-state tuition, then check whether you qualify for that rate.
  • Compare median debt and completion context before assuming the lowest tuition is the lowest-risk option.
  • Open the value profile and program profile to verify accreditation timing, outcomes, fees, fieldwork travel, and total program length.

Ask before choosing

  • Do I qualify for the listed in-state, district, or resident rate?
  • What is the full OT-specific cost after graduate fees, supplies, background checks, travel, and fieldwork expenses?
  • Would a slightly higher tuition program reduce risk through stronger outcomes, better fit, or lower commute burden?

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.

In-state tuition72%

Published College Scorecard in-state tuition is the primary ranking signal because this page is designed as a cost-first screen.

Median debt18%

Institution-level median debt helps separate low sticker price from schools where borrowing still appears heavier.

Value context10%

The existing public OT value score adds completion, accreditation timing, and state labor-market context as a light tie-breaker.

FAQ

Common questions about this ranking

These answers explain how to read the ranking, what the data can show, and where readers should verify fit before deciding.

How should I use Lowest-Cost Public OT Programs?

Use this ranking when you need a cost-first OT school screen and want public options that may anchor a lower-debt application list.

What sources does this ranking use?

ACOTE public OT program matches and College Scorecard institution-level tuition, debt, and completion fields. The page links to the primary source material used for the ranking.

What can this ranking miss?

College Scorecard tuition, debt, and completion fields are institution-level signals. They are not OT-program-specific tuition, fees, or debt figures. Public tuition can vary by residency, campus, graduate program fees, cohort, course load, and program length.

What should I read next?

Use this ranking with Best public OT program value, OT school cost and debt guide, Best OT outcomes.

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