Best 15 Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Programs in 2024

Kicking off our list of the top doctorate of occupational therapy programs is a lesser-known institution, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. What this program lacks in recognition, however, it more than makes up for with an award-winning staff of teachers and instructors. While this program does come with considerable tuition costs, it also boasts of a nearly 80% graduation rate – and of being the top program on our list.

When the famed American newspaper editor and author Horace Greeley’s “go west young man go west” phrase was coined, he could have been referring to the University of South Dakota for students seeking a doctorate of occupational therapy degree. This program, in Vermillion, South Dakota is west by northwest, and it also offers very attractive tuition fees. While the graduation rate isn’t great for the school overall, it is very impressive for students enrolled in the occupational therapy program. Along with this program and its costs, the University of South Dakota earns high marks on our list of the top doctorate of occupational therapy programs.

This program earns a place among our top occupational therapy programs due in part to its unique class structure and admission requirements. Students seeking their doctorate of occupational therapy at Huntington University in Fort Wayne, Indiana will have to contend with considerable tuition fees but strong graduation rate numbers bode well for students who can manage those costs.

Being the largest private university in the state of Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan University has much to offer students who are looking for the top doctorate of occupational therapy programs. From state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including more than $40 million invested in a new learning hall, IWU in Marion, Indiana finds itself among the top doctorate of occupational therapy programs on our list. Considerable tuition costs will typically require financial assistance, but a strong graduation rate helps to ensure those educational investments.

The doctorate of occupational therapy program at Kettering College in Kettering, Ohio, is designed to prepare students for successful careers in occupational therapy roles. Highly competitive tuition costs help to counterbalance a sub 50% graduation rate and make this program worth a look.

Another program that finds a solid place among our list of the top doctorate of occupational therapy programs is Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Although the graduation rate struggles to get over fifty percent, that factor is offset somewhat by a manageable tuition rate, making this program worthy of a spot among the leading OT programs.

The University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a wonderful option for working graduate students looking for the top doctorate of occupational therapy programs. A sizeable tuition fee at this well-recognized University will typically require some type of financial assistance, but solid graduation numbers help this program to maintain a solid place on our list of the top OT programs.

The West Coast and schools out west have long been recognized as leaders in the world of occupational therapy, and Northern Arizona University’s doctorate of occupational therapy program is no exception. This Phoenix, Arizona school has a respectable graduation rate of not quite 60% which helps to counterbalance tuition rates that will generally mean getting financial aid, but this OT program has proven to be a worthy investment for many students.

In addition to offering graduate students the opportunity to pursue a doctorate of occupational therapy degree, Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania also affords new students a 6-year program for freshmen desiring to earn an OT doctorate. An excellent graduation rate helps to offset one of the larger tuition fees of the schools on our list and helps to keep this program worthy of a place among the top doctorate of occupational therapy programs.

The Belmont University doctorate of occupational therapy program affords students a hands-on program approach using practical clinical fieldwork opportunities. Large tuition fees at this Nashville, Tennessee institution will generally mean seeking financial aid of some type, but strong graduation rates provide great outlooks for students entering the program.

At the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, in Omaha, Nebraska, students can pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy, and a great career in the field of occupational therapy. Tuition rates at this respected school will mean the need for financial aid for most students, but plus 80% graduation rate numbers are encouraging for new students.

Another small school of less repute, St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, makes an appearance on our list as the first accredited doctorate of occupational therapy program in Iowa. Stiff tuition costs will mean some type of financial assistance need for most, while good graduation rates help to earn this founding program a place on our list of the top OT programs.

As another one of our top doctorate of occupational therapy programs, the University of Central Arkansas makes the list in part due to competitive tuition rates that also help to offset less-than-ideal graduation numbers. This proven and reputable Conway, AR program is another that could deserve some further investigation for students seeking a post-graduate OT degree.

At Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, students get the opportunity to experience clinical application and activities as part of the program’s curriculum. The established and well-recognized Des Moines, Iowa institution of higher learning does come with stout tuition costs but also boasts of an excellent graduation rate of over 80%.

Closing out our list of the top doctorate of occupational therapy programs is Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to a near-perfect graduation rate, this program has also been dubbed as the number one occupational therapy program in the country based on rankings by U.S. News and World Report. Higher tuition rates prevent this recognized program from ranking higher but not from making our list.