ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools in the Southwest Region

14 Colleges in the United States
666 Occupational Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$71,674 Avg Early-Career Salary

Occupational Therapy/Therapist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their occupational therapy/therapist programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools to find the best for occupational therapy/therapist students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/occupational-therapy-therapist/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.23), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Physical Therapy Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Physical Therapy Assistant (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

Best Schools for Occupational Therapy/Therapist in the Southwest Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the occupational therapy/therapist degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Occupational Therapy/Therapist

1

The University Of Texas Medical Branch tops our 2026 ranking of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Texas Medical Branch awarded about 64 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The University Of Texas Medical Branch generally make around $78,929. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for The University Of Texas Medical Branch

2

Northern Arizona University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Arizona University awarded about 46 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $76,945. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete this degree. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Northern Arizona University

3

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, ranking #3. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 70 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn around $75,525 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,889. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

4

A rank of #4 makes Midwestern University Glendale one of the top schools for occupational therapy/therapist. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Glendale. Midwestern University Glendale awarded about 36 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Midwestern University Glendale earn around $74,591 in the first couple years of their career. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Midwestern University Glendale

5

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio awarded about 47 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio earn a median of $79,193 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $20,247 in student loans. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio

6

Baylor University landed the #6 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 94 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $74,108 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,928. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Baylor University

7

Texas Womans University landed the #7 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 126 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Texas Womans University earn around $60,449 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete this degree. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Texas Womans University

8

Abilene Christian University landed the #8 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 23 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $74,437. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Abilene Christian University

9

University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center landed the #9 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. About 39 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center generally make around $72,925. University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center graduates carry a median of $22,613 in student loans. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

10

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor landed the #10 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 28 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $77,157 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,782 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor

11

The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #11 among the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 23 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,134 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete this degree. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for The University Of Texas At Tyler

12

Northeastern State University came in at #12 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Tahlequah. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern State University in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $78,311 early in their careers. Northeastern State University graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Northeastern State University

13

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 27 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $71,142 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,738. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at University Of New Mexico Main Campus

14

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #14 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates 50% of students within six years. About 23 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from The University Of Texas At El Paso earn around $54,584 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,819. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at The University Of Texas At El Paso

Narrow Occupational Therapy/Therapist Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Occupational Therapy/Therapist Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options