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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Occupational Therapist Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools

164 Colleges in the United States
2,692 Occupational Therapist Assistant Degrees Awarded
$39,329 Avg Early-Career Salary

Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their occupational therapist assistant programs.

College Factual analyzed 246 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best occupational therapist assistant schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Occupational Therapist Assistant in the United States

Below are the best occupational therapist assistant schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Occupational Therapist Assistant

1

Our analysis ranked Rutgers University New Brunswick the best school in the country for a degree in occupational therapist assistant. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 21 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $50,530 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapist assistant from Rutgers University New Brunswick

2
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in occupational therapist assistant, ranking #2. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Lone Star College System awarded about 42 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Lone Star College System earn around $38,534 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for Lone Star College System

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Louisiana Monroe one of the top schools for occupational therapist assistant. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Monroe. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 30 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at University Of Louisiana Monroe in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $47,162. Students borrow a median of $16,327 to complete this degree. Read more about the occupational therapist assistant program at University Of Louisiana Monroe

4

Students looking for a strong occupational therapist assistant program will find one at Gateway Community College Phoenix, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Phoenix. About 20 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Gateway Community College Phoenix in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,605. Gateway Community College Phoenix graduates carry a median of $15,581 in student loans. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for Gateway Community College Phoenix

5
Fox College Inc crest
Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Fox College Inc is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in occupational therapist assistant, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit university. Fox College Inc awarded about 22 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Fox College Inc earn a median of $42,418 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,579. More information about a degree in occupational therapist assistant from Fox College Inc

6

Austin Community College District landed the #6 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. About 13 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Austin Community College District earn around $49,448 in the first couple years of their career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $18,457 in student loans. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for Austin Community College District

7

Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Delaware Technical Community College Terry awarded about 16 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $38,769 in their early career. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $11,064 in student loans. More information about a degree in occupational therapist assistant from Delaware Technical Community College Terry

8

Washburn University earned the #8 position for occupational therapist assistant this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Washburn University graduates 44% of students within six years. Washburn University awarded about 10 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $45,386 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,566 to complete this degree. Get the full occupational therapist assistant details for Washburn University

9

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 16 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $40,126 in their early career. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Get the full occupational therapist assistant details for Northern Virginia Community College

10

Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #10 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Weatherford. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southwestern Oklahoma State University awarded about 13 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn around $43,773 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapist assistant from Southwestern Oklahoma State University

11

Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,060 early in their careers. Arkansas State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $16,867 in student loans. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for Arkansas State University Main Campus

12

Western Technical College La Cross earned the #12 position for occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. About 13 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Western Technical College La Cross in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Western Technical College La Cross earn around $43,682 in the first couple years of their career. Western Technical College La Cross graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Read more about the occupational therapist assistant program at Western Technical College La Cross

13

Green River Community College landed the #13 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. Green River Community College awarded about 13 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for Green River Community College

14

Mclennan Community College landed the #14 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. This large public university is located in the city of Waco. Mclennan Community College awarded about 10 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $40,499 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,500. Read more about the occupational therapist assistant program at Mclennan Community College

15
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College placed #15 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. About 10 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at San Juan College in the most recent year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $37,239 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,090. Get the full occupational therapist assistant details for San Juan College

16

Tyler Junior College came in at #16 for occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. About 13 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Tyler Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $46,586 in their early career. Tyler Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in occupational therapist assistant from Tyler Junior College

17

San Jacinto Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 11 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $52,032 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for San Jacinto Community College

18

New England Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Located in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. New England Institute Of Technology awarded about 10 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $40,562 in their early career. New England Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $20,167 in student loans. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for New England Institute Of Technology

19
Weatherford College crest
Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX

Weatherford College placed #19 among the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 12 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Weatherford College in the most recent year. Occupational Therapist Assistant graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $51,083 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the occupational therapist assistant program at Weatherford College

20
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Sacramento City College awarded about 24 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapist assistant program make about $48,969 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,008. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for Sacramento City College

21

Capital Community College earned the #21 position for occupational therapist assistant this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Capital Community College awarded about 17 occupational therapist assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Capital Community College earn around $40,439 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapist assistant from Capital Community College

22
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #22 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. This large public university is located in the city of Corpus Christi. There were roughly 15 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Del Mar College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Del Mar College earn around $42,057 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapist assistant from Del Mar College

23

Houston Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapist assistant schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 23 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Houston Community College earn around $42,459 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,562. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for Houston Community College

24

Kapiolani Community College came in at #24 for occupational therapist assistant this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 11 occupational therapist assistant students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapist assistant degree from Kapiolani Community College earn around $42,172 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,496 to complete this degree. Get the full occupational therapist assistant details for Kapiolani Community College

25
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University landed the #25 spot for occupational therapist assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 occupational therapist assistant degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapist assistant degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $48,584. Radford University graduates carry a median of $30,625 in student loans. See the full occupational therapist assistant program report for Radford University

Rest of the Top 50 Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools

These schools also placed among the best for occupational therapist assistant this year:

26
27
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE
28
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX
29
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
30
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
48
49
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL
50

Additional Occupational Therapist Assistant Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for occupational therapist assistant this year:

Rank School Location
#58 Harcum College Bryn Mawr, PA
#60 Marion Technical College Marion, OH
#67 St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN
#70 South College Knoxville, TN
#71 South Texas College McAllen, TX
#81 Florida State College At Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
#85 Central Pennsylvania College Summerdale, PA
#89 Augusta Technical College Augusta, GA
#93 South University Tampa Tampa, FL
#94 Keiser University Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
#100 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
#110 Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for occupational therapist assistant:

Other Occupational Therapist Assistant Degree Levels

Explore the best occupational therapist assistant schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Occupational Therapist Assistant
Bachelor's Degrees in Occupational Therapist Assistant
Master's Degrees in Occupational Therapist Assistant
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 246 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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