Pursuing a degree in occupational therapy helps you learn how to treat the mental, physical, emotional, and developmental disorders that affect a person’s ability to do occupational or day-to-day tasks effectively. It majors in the use of assessments and interventions to maintain, recover, or develop relevant activities or occupations for people. If you are looking forward to helping people who are struggling with an ailment get jobs, do activities or create an occupation for themselves, then we guess studying Occupational Therapy in one of the best Occupational Therapy schools would be a priority.
Many schools in the United States offer Occupational Therapy programs. But this article focuses on revealing the best Occupational Therapy schools in the United States. The best schools in Occupational Therapy are scattered abroad in the United States. Some of these schools are located in suburbs while some are located in urban areas.
All the listed schools do not only offer Occupational Therapy programs, but they also offer other programs that make them a whole institution.
1. University of Southern California
Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney and located in Los Angeles, California, the University of Southern California is one of the best and oldest private research universities for Communications in the United States. the University of Southern California is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
The University of Southern California is one of the most notable private universities in California that attracts a lot of students from different ethnic and economic backgrounds with over 49,000 students enrolled every year. About 82% of the students are affluent while 18% are low-income students. Some notable alumni include Neil Armstrong, Charles Bolden, O. J. Simpson, George Lucas, Andrew Viterbi, John Wayne, Will Ferrell, and many more.
Tuition cost about $39,759 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 70% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $37,811.
The University of Southern California has a graduation rate of 92%. Graduates from the University of Southern California usually have a median salary of about $74,000 after six years of graduation. About 92% are employed after two years of graduation and about 85% are positive they will get a job in their field after graduation.
The University of Southern California is very selective about its student admissions, this earns them a low admission rate of 11%. The students to faculty ratio are 7:1. The freshman life on campus is highly rated at 82% and they offer online courses programs but no evening degree programs.
How to Apply for Admission
The University of Southern California offers detailed information on its website on what you would need to know or what documents will be submitted along with your application. The SAT/ACTs can be considered but they are not required. A good high school GPA can help you out. They accept Common applications and their application fee is $85.
Location: Los Angeles, CA 90007, United States.
2. University of Washington
Founded in 1861 and located in Seattle, Washington, the University of Washington is one of the best and oldest public research universities for Occupational Therapy in the United States. the University of Washington is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The University of Washington is one of the most notable public universities in Washington that attracts a lot of students from different ethnic and economic backgrounds with over 49,000 students enrolled every year. About 80% of the students are affluent while 20% are low-income students. Some notable alumni include Tom Foley, Michael P. Anderson, Sally Jewell, Joe Sutter, Bruce Lee, Kenny G, Kyle MacLachlan, and many others.
Tuition cost about $9,661 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 56% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $15,450.
The University of Washington has a graduation rate of 82%. Graduates from the University of Pennsylvania usually have a median salary of about $57,700 after six years of graduation. About 91% are employed after two years of graduation and about 76% are positive they will get a job in their field after graduation.
the University of Washington is not very selective about its student admissions, this earns them an above-average admission rate of 56%. The students to faculty ratio are 6:1. They offer online courses programs and evening degree programs too.
How to Apply for Admission
The University of Washington offers detailed information on its website on what you would need to know or what documents will be submitted along with your application. The SAT/ACTs can be considered but they are not required. A good high school GPA can help you out. There is no opportunity for early decision or action and their application fee is $80.
Location: 1400 NE CAMPUS PARKWAY, SEATTLE, WA 98195.
3. Saint Louis University
Founded in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg and located in St. Louis, Missouri, Saint Louis University is one of the best and oldest private Jesuit research universities in the United States. Saint Louis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Saint Louis University is one of the most notable private universities in Missouri that attracts a lot of students from different ethnic and economic backgrounds with over 12,000 students enrolled every year. Some notable alumni include Robert Arp, Michael J. Garanzini, Thomas P. Barnett, Richard Dooling, Richard Chaifetz, Michael Bidwill, Joyce Aboussie, and David Barrett, among many others.
Tuition cost about $27,872 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 98% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $34,590.
Saint Louis University has a graduation rate of 79%. Graduates from Saint Louis University usually have a median salary of about $56,500 after six years of graduation. About 94% are employed after two years of graduation and about 84% are positive they will get a job in their field after graduation.
Saint Louis University is not very selective about its student admissions, this earns them an above-average admission rate of 56%. The students to faculty ratio are 5:1. The freshman life on campus is highly rated at 92% and they offer online courses programs and evening degree programs too.
How to Apply for Admission
Saint Louis University offers detailed information on its website on what you would need to know or what documents will be submitted along with your application. The SAT/ACTs can be considered but they are not required. A good high school GPA is required. They accept Common applications and they don’t charge an application fee.
Location: 1 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103, United States.
4. Drake University
Established in 1881 and located in Des Moines, Iowa, Drake University is among the 25 oldest private universities in the United States. Drake University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Drake University is one of the most notable private universities in Iowa that attracts a lot of students from different ethnic and economic backgrounds with over 4,000 students enrolled every year. Some notable alumni include Robert D. Blue, Terry Branstad, Bonnie Campbell, Mark Cady, Roxanne Conlin, Louis A. Lavorato, Joanne Aono, Joseph Hermann, and Syleena Johnson, among others.
Tuition cost about $30,321 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. 100% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $27,511.
Drake University has a graduation rate of 78%. Graduates from Drake University usually have a median salary of about $58,300 after six years of graduation. About 95% are employed after two years of graduation and about 86% are positive they will get a job in their field after graduation.
Drake University is not selective about its student admissions, this earns them a high admission rate of 68%. The students to faculty ratio are 8:1. The freshman life on campus is highly rated at 98% and they offer online courses programs and evening degree programs too.
How to Apply for Admission
Drake University offers detailed information on its website on what you would need to know or what documents will be submitted along with your application. The SAT/ACTs can be considered but they are not required. A good high school GPA is required. They accept Common applications and they charge no application fee.
Location: 2507 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best OT school in the US?
Many schools in the US offer OT programs but schools like Drake University, the University of Southern California, Saint Louis University, and the University of Washington are considered some of the best OT schools in the US.
2. Is being an OT stressful?
Sometimes, being an OT can be stressful because you have to find effective and meaningful ways to help different people with different ailments to achieve occupational goals.
3. Are occupational therapists rich?
How much you earn can be influenced by where you work. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, Occupational therapists can earn an average of $87,480 per year.
Conclusion
Occupational therapy is one of the important careers to pursue if you want to help people who are limited mentally and physically in pursuing their goals. Pursuing this career at a place where you are sure of getting a quality education is ideal to boost your skillset and reputation. Graduates of many best schools in Occupational Therapy secure jobs upon graduation and earn a high median starting salary in the private and public sectors.
References
- “2022 Best Colleges with Occupational Therapy Degrees in America“. Niche. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- “Best Occupational Therapy Programs – Top Health Schools“. US News Rankings. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- “Occupational Therapist Salary: Is the Degree Worth the Cost?“. Student Loan Planner. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
