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

16 Colleges in the United States
926 Occupational Therapy/Therapist Degrees Awarded
$69,582 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Occupational Therapy/Therapist in the The Plains States Region

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

Top Schools in Occupational Therapy/Therapist

1
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

No school ranked higher than Rockhurst University this year for occupational therapy/therapist. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Rockhurst University awarded about 47 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $71,272 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,111. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for Rockhurst University

2
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Bismarck. University Of Mary graduates 67% of students within six years. About 53 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from University Of Mary earn around $62,378 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete this degree. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for University Of Mary

3

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 44 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $70,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Students looking for a strong occupational therapy/therapist program will find one at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from University Of Kansas earn around $68,233 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete this degree. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for University Of Kansas

5

Saint Ambrose University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in occupational therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Saint Ambrose University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 34 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $70,244 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,528. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Saint Ambrose University

6

University Of North Dakota ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. University Of North Dakota awarded about 58 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $70,781 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from University Of North Dakota

7

Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #7 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 92 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $67,636. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Saint Louis University Main Campus

8

A T Still University Of Health Sciences earned the #8 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, A T Still University Of Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. A T Still University Of Health Sciences awarded about 55 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $78,943 in their early career. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at A T Still University Of Health Sciences

9

University Of Nebraska Medical Center ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Omaha. About 17 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Medical Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from University Of Nebraska Medical Center earn around $74,591 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,905 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from University Of Nebraska Medical Center

10

The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #10 among the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 33 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $70,043. Typical student debt for the program is $26,755. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for The College Of Saint Scholastica

11

Creighton University came in at #11 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 119 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Creighton University earn around $72,111 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Creighton University

12
Allen College crest
Allen College
Waterloo, IA

Allen College landed the #12 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Waterloo, Allen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 12 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Allen College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Allen College earn around $76,852 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Allen College

13

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #13 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 25 occupational therapy/therapist students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $69,907 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,408. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Missouri State University Springfield

14
University Of Saint Mary crest
University Of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, KS

University Of Saint Mary ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Leavenworth. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Saint Mary awarded about 11 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of University Of Saint Mary earn a median of $71,003 early in their careers. University Of Saint Mary graduates carry a median of $27,810 in student loans. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from University Of Saint Mary

15

Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #15 for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 38 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn around $68,177 in the first couple years of their career. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Get the full occupational therapy/therapist details for Maryville University Of Saint Louis

16
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University earned the #16 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. St Catherine University awarded about 57 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $65,228. Students borrow a median of $29,883 to complete this degree. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for St Catherine University

17

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health landed the #17 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit university. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 30 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health in the most recent year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of $66,597 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,121 to complete this degree. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health

18

University Of South Dakota earned the #18 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. University Of South Dakota awarded about 31 occupational therapy/therapist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, occupational therapy/therapist degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $69,059. Typical student debt for the program is $26,322. Read more about the occupational therapy/therapist program at University Of South Dakota

19

College Of Saint Mary landed the #19 spot for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Located in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 37 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at College Of Saint Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their occupational therapy/therapist degree from College Of Saint Mary earn around $59,350 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from College Of Saint Mary

20
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best occupational therapy/therapist schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 57 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Occupational Therapy/therapist graduates of Drake University earn a median of $68,869 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in occupational therapy/therapist from Drake University

21
Cox College crest
Cox College
Springfield, MO

Cox College earned the #21 position for occupational therapy/therapist this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Cox College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 100% of students finish within six years. About 22 occupational therapy/therapist degrees were awarded at Cox College in the most recent year. Graduates of the occupational therapy/therapist program make about $69,028 in their early career. Cox College graduates carry a median of $28,794 in student loans. See the full occupational therapy/therapist program report for Cox College

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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 · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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