Research transparency
How this page was developed
Online, self-administered cross-sectional survey of current U.S. occupational therapy students and recent graduates, fielded June 15 through July 31, 2026.
Sample size: 396
Key findings
86% were confident about employment, compared with 74% of current students.
91% of recent graduate respondents reported working in an occupational therapy-related field.
64% of recent graduates rated ROI good or excellent, compared with 84% rating career prospects good or excellent.
Why does this survey compare current students with recent graduates?
Occupational therapy has a professional pathway that makes a bachelor’s-versus-master’s comparison less useful here. This report compares 287 current students with 109 recent graduates to describe how perceptions differ before and after the transition into work. It is an opt-in, self-reported survey, not a job-placement report or causal study.
Can entry-level occupational therapy be completed fully online?
No. Entry-level occupational therapy education includes required in-person fieldwork and clinical education. Online coursework may be part of a program, but prospective students should confirm the program’s ACOTE status, fieldwork requirements, and state licensure disclosures directly with the school.
Who was included in the survey?
The final sample was 396 respondents: 287 current OT students (72.5%) and 109 recent OT graduates (27.5%). The online survey was fielded June 15 to July 31, 2026. Recent graduates completed their program within the preceding five years. Results are not representative of all OT students or graduates.
How did current students and graduates rate career prospects?
| Reported result | Students | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Good or excellent career prospects | 76% (218/287) | 84% (92/109) |
| Career prospects, average | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Confident about employment | 74% (212/287) | 86% (94/109) |
| Career confidence, average | 3.7 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Feel prepared for OT career | 69% (198/287) | 82% (89/109) |
| Career readiness, average | 3.5 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Unsure about career path | 17% (49/287) | 9% (10/109) |
How satisfied were respondents and how did they rate value?
| Reported result | Students | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Satisfied or very satisfied | 77% (221/287) | 81% (88/109) |
| Overall satisfaction, average | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Would choose OT again | 71% (204/287) | 76% (83/109) |
| Would not choose OT again | 15% (43/287) | 11% (12/109) |
| Would recommend OT | 76% (218/287) | 81% (88/109) |
| Likelihood to recommend, average | 7.7 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Good or excellent ROI | 58% (166/287) | 64% (70/109) |
| Degree ROI, average | 3.3 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
What did graduates report about employment and what should applicants verify?
91% of recent graduate respondents (99/109) reported working in an OT-related field. This is a reported sample result, not a program-level placement rate. Applicants should still verify each program’s requirements, total cost, clinical education structure, credential eligibility, and any school-reported outcomes directly.
For pathway context, read the occupational therapist career guide and the kinesiology ROI guide.
How should this survey be cited?
Li, Mark. 2026 Occupational Therapy Student Survey: Career Outlook, Satisfaction, and Student-to-Graduate Differences. Study Kinesiology. Fielded June 15 to July 31, 2026. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://studykinesiology.com/insights/2026-occupational-therapy-student-survey/
What are the limits of this survey?
This self-reported, opt-in, cross-sectional survey cannot establish causation, predict an individual outcome, or replace school-level outcome reporting, credential eligibility review, or independently verified employment data. Percentages use valid responses to each question; respondent-level data are not published because responses may contain identifying information.
Primary sources
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