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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southeast Region

44 Colleges in the United States
2,106 Occupational Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$66,732 Avg Early-Career Salary

Occupational Therapy/Therapist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 62 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for occupational therapy/therapist students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Occupational Therapy/Therapist in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall occupational therapy/therapist education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Occupational Therapy/Therapist

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 school for occupational therapy/therapist. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 36 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $68,778 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Duke University

2
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. Belmont University awarded about 80 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Belmont University earn around $73,552 in the first couple years of their career. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for Belmont University

3

The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 38 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center generally make around $71,678. Students borrow a median of $25,679 to complete this degree. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for occupational therapy/therapist. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 62 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $74,189. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for University Of Florida

5
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

A rank of #5 makes James Madison University one of the top schools for occupational therapy/therapist. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 25 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $76,714 in their early career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at James Madison University

6
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University came in at #6 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 20 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $76,183 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,880. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Marymount University

7
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas earned the #7 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for University Of Arkansas

8
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University placed #8 among the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Wingate University awarded about 34 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $73,520 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,556. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Wingate University

9
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University came in at #9 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 80 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $73,888. Shenandoah University graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Shenandoah University

10

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $58,000 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

11

Lincoln Memorial University came in at #11 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Lincoln Memorial University awarded about 59 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $64,307 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,693. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Lincoln Memorial University

12

Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Concord. About 29 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences in the most recent year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $60,869 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,414 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences

13

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans placed #13 among the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of New Orleans. There were roughly 34 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans earn around $69,715 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans graduates carry a median of $31,146 in student loans. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans

14

University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #14 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $72,211 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,162. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

15

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $72,301. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete this degree. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

16

Florida International University earned the #16 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Florida International University awarded about 39 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Florida International University earn around $63,249 in the first couple years of their career. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for Florida International University

17
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University placed #17 among the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Jacksonville University awarded about 22 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $72,608 in their early career. Jacksonville University graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Jacksonville University

18
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #18 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 80 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $69,851 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,021. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for Nova Southeastern University

19
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University landed the #19 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 47 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $73,972 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,514 to complete this degree. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Radford University

20

Medical University Of South Carolina ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. There were roughly 58 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Medical University Of South Carolina in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $70,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,043 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Medical University Of South Carolina

21

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #21 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 49 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $62,881 in their early career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

22

University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #22 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Monroe. University Of Louisiana Monroe graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisiana Monroe in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from University Of Louisiana Monroe earn around $83,514 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,465 to complete this degree. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for University Of Louisiana Monroe

23

East Carolina University landed the #23 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 23 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from East Carolina University earn around $56,764 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from East Carolina University

24

Emory And Henry College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Emory And Henry College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Emory And Henry College earn around $73,696 in the first couple years of their career. Emory And Henry College graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Emory And Henry College

25

Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Arkansas State University Main Campus awarded about 29 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,150 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,399. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Arkansas State University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s occupational therapy/therapist ranking:

26
27
28
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA
29
30
31
32
33
Spalding University crest
Spalding University
Louisville, KY
34
35
36
37
38
Methodist University crest
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC
39
40
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC
41
42
43
44
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN
45
46
47
48
Mary Baldwin College crest
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA
49
Brenau University crest
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 62 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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