6 Affordable Online Occupational Therapy Degrees 2025

Occupational therapy is the practice of using everyday life activities (i.e., occupations) to promote patient health, recovery, and overall well-being. Occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) treat those with injuries, disabilities, or illnesses, using vocational and daily skills to promote independence. If you're looking to enter this sector of the healthcare industry, you may be interested in earning your occupational therapy degree online.

In this article, we examine a range of accredited institutions that offer undergraduate online degree programs. We also answer questions related to degree costs, program timelines, and job opportunities. Continue reading to discover how to advance your career in this vital healthcare profession.

Can You Earn an Occupational Therapy Bachelor's Degree Online?

You can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in occupational therapy degree online. While there are limited options, some colleges and universities offer online or hybrid bachelor's degree programs. Generally, these OT degree online programs are geared toward students looking to pursue their Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT), Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD).

You can also earn your occupational therapy assistant degree online. Some degree programs are designed for students who want to become licensed OTAs; others are for students who hold OTA licensure and want to further their healthcare studies.

How Much Does an Online Occupational Therapy Degree Cost?

Occupational therapy online degree costs range from $33,000 to $65,000 or more. The exact cost of your bachelor's degree will vary according to your chosen school and program, if you have any eligible transfer credits, or if you qualify for financial aid opportunities. You can apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal and state aid, including grants and scholarships.

Cheapest Online Occupational Therapy Degrees

This list represents various affordable occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant online degree options. All are bachelor's degree programs at accredited schools.

1. Central Methodist University

Located in Fayette, MO, Central Methodist University (CMU) offers a BS in OTA online program. This program is designed for students who have already earned their associate degree in OTA and have passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

Students hone their knowledge in administration, leadership, advocacy, and clinical practice skills � coursework is conducted entirely online. Admission requirements stipulate that prospective students must hold an associate degree in OTA from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA).

• Estimated tuition cost: $275 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Financial support comes via grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

2. South College

South College has many campuses across the U.S. and also has an extensive online learning platform. Students looking to earn their BS in health sciences/post-OTA can enroll in South College's online degree program. Students can apply their OTA associate degree credits toward their bachelor's degree.

The program enhances skills and knowledge in healthcare administration, health science research, human resource management, and leadership and management. Graduates can pursue administrative opportunities in the job market or pursue a master's degree program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $310 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students may receive grants, loans, and scholarships to help offset education costs.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. Penn State Mont Alto

Located in Mont Alto, PA, Penn State Mont Alto offers a BS in occupational therapy. This OT program focuses on applying critical and justice-informed reasoning to meet patient needs. Graduates are prepared for entry-level occupational therapy careers or can choose to transition into health science graduate studies.

Learners can take courses online or on campus. The BS program curriculum includes courses such as foundations of occupational science and therapy, human behavior, and perspectives of culture, equity, and spirituality. This degree program has a capstone project requirement.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,474 per year (in-state); $20,898 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Penn State Mont Alto provides financial support through scholarships, grants, loans, and veterans' benefits.
• Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

4. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is a large public school that has a BS in health sciences/pre-occupational therapy degree program. The pre-occupational therapy bachelor's program enhances students' skills and knowledge as health practitioners. After graduation, students can move directly into the workforce or continue their education through master's programs or OTD programs.

The occupational therapy program curriculum combines foundational subjects with studies in pharmacology, nutrition, anatomy, and biomechanics. Students complete their coursework entirely online. Classes start three times per year, and full-time students can graduate in two to four years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,063 per semester (in-state); $7,243 per semester (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Eligible students receive grants, scholarships, and loans to help with education costs.
• Accreditation: ACOTE

5. University of Missouri

Students who want to pursue their occupational therapy assistant degree online can earn a Bachelor of Health Science (BSHS) at the University of Missouri (Mizzou). Mizzou's BSHS degree program prepares students to sit for the OTA licensure exam. Students can also choose to pursue their master's degree or doctorate after graduating.

The education program includes courses covering OTA practice in the community, assistive technology and adaptations, and how to measure functional movement. While the majority of coursework is conducted online, OTA students complete in-person fieldwork. These fieldwork experiences provide students with the opportunity to hone their hands-on skills in real-world settings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $14,334 per year
• Financial aid: Financial aid at Mizzou comes via scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
• Accreditation: ACOTE

6. Western Michigan University

Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University (WMU) offers a BS in occupational therapy assistant degree program. Courses include mental health practice for the OTA and the study of human movement and occupation. Some courses are available online; students complete in-person fieldwork experiences alongside students in WMU's OT doctoral program.

Learners will be eligible to sit for the NBCOT exam after graduating from the BS program. After successfully completing the NBCOT exam, individuals are certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs).

• Estimated tuition cost: $15,816 per year (in-state); $18,842 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Students can apply for grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs to help reduce overall education costs.
• Accreditation: ACOTE

How We Rank Schools

We use the following criteria when considering which schools to feature on our ranked lists, from accreditation status to tuition rates:

• Accreditation: The universities and colleges listed are accredited institutions, which means they've been vetted by independent accrediting bodies. Some programs have received additional accreditation by industry organizations, like ACOTE.
• Affordability: All undergraduate programs must cost $500 or less per credit hour or $20,000 or less per year.
• Program reputation: An OT program's reputation is determined by its accreditation status, program curriculum, experienced faculty, and graduation rates.

What To Expect From an Online Degree in Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapy online degree program shares the same curriculum standards as on-campus degree programs. Typically, undergraduate occupational therapy degree programs are designed to prepare students to be licensed OTAs or to continue into advanced graduate studies.

OT bachelor's degree programs cover foundational science subjects (e.g., human anatomy and physiology), medical terminology, statistics, and occupational therapy fundamentals. Many programs require fieldwork experiences or a capstone project.

Most bachelor's degree programs are 120 credits and take about four years to complete. If you have already earned your associate degree in occupational therapy or a related field, you can transfer eligible credits and accelerate your degree process.

FAQs About the Most Affordable OT Degrees Online

Below, we answer commonly asked questions about online OT degrees, from occupational therapy degree requirements to career outlooks.

What Degree Do You Need for Occupational Therapy

You must earn a graduate degree, like an MSOT or an OTD, to be eligible to become a licensed occupational therapist. Most OT master's degrees take between two and three years to complete; most entry-level OTD programs take two to three years to complete.

To become an occupational therapy assistant, you must earn either an associate degree or bachelor's degree in OTA. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) outlines degree programs and has a search engine that you can use to find accredited OT programs.

Is an Online Occupational Therapy Degree Worth It?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median wage for occupational therapists is $98,340 per year or $47.28 per hour. Occupational therapy assistants earn an average of $66,050 per year or $31.76 per hour.

Any OT or OTA program is an investment in time and money. You must weigh your capacity to finish your degree program against your professional goals.

Read More: OT Programs Without GRE Requirements

Can You Earn a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy Online?

There are online master's degree programs for occupational therapy. However, ACOTE-accredited programs are not 100% online, as these advanced degree programs include in-person fieldwork experiences. Fieldwork provides the opportunity for students to develop hands-on skills necessary to become a licensed occupational therapist.

What Can You Do With an Occupational Therapy Degree?

Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. People who graduate with their bachelor's degree in occupational therapy can take on roles such as:

• occupational therapy assistant
• rehabilitation specialist
• health educator
• health services manager
• clinical research coordinator
• medical sales representative

What Do Occupational Therapists Do?

Occupational therapists help patients improve specific health challenges and overall wellness. OTs evaluate a patient's condition and, with input from both the patient and their family and caregivers, develop individualized plans to improve the capacity for everyday activities.

Occupational therapists help patients with daily living activities like bathing and eating, using adaptive equipment such as shower chairs, and techniques to promote concentration, memory, and cognitive functioning.

Discover Online OT Degrees

If you're ready to begin your career in occupational therapy, we invite you to connect with Learn.org's partner schools. Discover which program best suits your educational needs.