Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions: earnings, debt, and careers
CIP 51.23. Official graduate outcomes from the U.S. Department of Education across 1,435 programs, and the careers this field is linked to.
Graduate earnings by credential level
| Credential | Programs | Graduates (recent year) | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Typical program median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate certificate | 56 | 373 | $38,181 | $45,385 | $21,906 5 programs |
| Associate's degree | 64 | 257 | $37,810 | $43,854 | $14,875 1 programs |
| Bachelor's degree | 285 | 3,385 | $38,781 | $55,792 | $25,000 74 programs |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 9 | 0 | $65,593 | $69,466 | $17,125 1 programs |
| Master's degree | 345 | 7,801 | $66,283 | $71,416 | Data unavailable |
| Doctoral degree | 261 | 2,278 | $76,911 | $82,893 | Data unavailable |
| Professional degree (JD, MD, and similar) | 305 | 15,067 | $76,937 | $81,641 | Data unavailable |
| Graduate certificate | 110 | 442 | $66,554 | $64,852 | Data unavailable |
National earnings are published by the Department of Education for each field and credential level Verified data. Typical program median debt is ConnectPrep's calculation: the median across programs of each program's median federal debt Calculated estimate. It covers federal loans only.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Field of Study Data. Varies by measure; see measure definitions. Published October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Undergraduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Century College MN · Public · 26 graduates measured | $45,979 | $61,639 | $19,915 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College IN · Private, nonprofit · 29 graduates measured | $38,580 | $44,498 | $27,314 |
| Florida Academy FL · Private, for-profit · 53 graduates measured | $30,237 | $28,874 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Associate's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Baltimore County MD · Public · 26 graduates measured | $52,221 | $55,217 | $14,875 |
| Thomas Jefferson University PA · Private, nonprofit · 35 graduates measured | $49,665 | $56,009 | Data unavailable |
| Oklahoma City Community College OK · Public · 67 graduates measured | $43,033 | $48,719 | Data unavailable |
| Fremont University CA · Private, for-profit · 28 graduates measured | $32,751 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Bachelor's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY York College NY · Public · 45 graduates measured | $73,044 | $77,201 | $15,500 |
| Saginaw Valley State University MI · Public · 28 graduates measured | $68,771 | $70,081 | $17,500 |
| D'Youville University NY · Private, nonprofit · 56 graduates measured | $60,924 | $61,801 | $29,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse WI · Public · 79 graduates measured | $49,912 | $58,908 | $23,250 |
| Berklee College of Music MA · Private, nonprofit · 27 graduates measured | $48,072 | Data unavailable | $26,687 |
| Boston University MA · Private, nonprofit · 34 graduates measured | $44,945 | $72,566 | $17,110 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford PA · Public · 82 graduates measured | $43,925 | $75,950 | $25,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus PA · Public · 82 graduates measured | $43,925 | $75,950 | $25,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout WI · Public · 19 graduates measured | $43,806 | $51,545 | Data unavailable |
| Assumption University MA · Private, nonprofit · 54 graduates measured | $43,708 | $54,822 | $27,000 |
| Grand Valley State University MI · Public · 17 graduates measured | $42,912 | $50,291 | $20,585 |
| Longwood University VA · Public · 29 graduates measured | $42,900 | $45,252 | Data unavailable |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania PA · Public · 55 graduates measured | $42,851 | $52,743 | $27,000 |
| CUNY Lehman College NY · Public · 59 graduates measured | $42,473 | $51,602 | $15,010 |
| State University of New York at Cortland NY · Public · 20 graduates measured | $42,340 | $52,654 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus OH · Public · 55 graduates measured | $64,096 | $66,427 | $17,125 |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Master's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Tyler TX · Public · 33 graduates measured | $84,911 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Baylor College of Medicine TX · Private, nonprofit · 32 graduates measured | $84,324 | $89,388 | Data unavailable |
| West Coast University-Texas TX · Private, for-profit · 107 graduates measured | $84,161 | $91,685 | Data unavailable |
| West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies CA · Private, for-profit · 107 graduates measured | $84,161 | $91,685 | Data unavailable |
| Stanbridge University CA · Private, for-profit · 109 graduates measured | $83,784 | $89,487 | Data unavailable |
| Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private, nonprofit · 53 graduates measured | $82,307 | $84,917 | Data unavailable |
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University NY · Public · 27 graduates measured | $82,248 | $84,040 | Data unavailable |
| New York Institute of Technology NY · Private, nonprofit · 132 graduates measured | $82,203 | $88,585 | Data unavailable |
| Dominican University of California CA · Private, nonprofit · 78 graduates measured | $81,307 | $97,253 | Data unavailable |
| University of Southern California CA · Private, nonprofit · 98 graduates measured | $80,596 | $87,543 | Data unavailable |
| University of Puget Sound WA · Private, nonprofit · 73 graduates measured | $80,095 | $79,192 | Data unavailable |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe LA · Public · 45 graduates measured | $79,744 | $80,139 | Data unavailable |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills CA · Public · 107 graduates measured | $79,331 | $83,346 | Data unavailable |
| Mercy University NY · Private, nonprofit · 58 graduates measured | $78,477 | $84,854 | Data unavailable |
| Midwestern University-Downers Grove IL · Private, nonprofit · 49 graduates measured | $77,449 | $75,597 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Doctoral degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Sacramento CA · Public · 49 graduates measured | $94,790 | $101,467 | Data unavailable |
| California State University-Fresno CA · Public · 47 graduates measured | $94,372 | $101,929 | Data unavailable |
| Mount Saint Mary's University CA · Private, nonprofit · 42 graduates measured | $93,044 | $95,385 | Data unavailable |
| Samuel Merritt University CA · Private, nonprofit · 152 graduates measured | $92,977 | $94,813 | Data unavailable |
| San Francisco State University CA · Public · 77 graduates measured | $92,499 | $96,298 | Data unavailable |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston TX · Public · 32 graduates measured | $92,360 | $92,646 | Data unavailable |
| Bay Path University MA · Private, nonprofit · 21 graduates measured | $92,041 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| New York Institute of Technology NY · Private, nonprofit · 62 graduates measured | $89,338 | $90,003 | Data unavailable |
| New York University NY · Private, nonprofit · 40 graduates measured | $89,238 | $89,509 | Data unavailable |
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas NV · Public · 80 graduates measured | $89,190 | $94,448 | Data unavailable |
| Dominican University New York NY · Private, nonprofit · 55 graduates measured | $88,608 | $94,250 | Data unavailable |
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University NY · Public · 42 graduates measured | $88,476 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| California State University-Long Beach CA · Public · 49 graduates measured | $87,374 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Azusa Pacific University CA · Private, nonprofit · 99 graduates measured | $86,602 | $96,354 | Data unavailable |
| Kean University NJ · Public · 25 graduates measured | $86,422 | $111,326 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Professional degree (JD, MD, and similar) programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Pacific CA · Private, nonprofit · 63 graduates measured | $94,149 | $96,221 | Data unavailable |
| University of California-San Francisco CA · Public · 106 graduates measured | $93,365 | $96,225 | Data unavailable |
| Long Island University NY · Private, nonprofit · 59 graduates measured | $90,700 | $90,289 | Data unavailable |
| Western University of Health Sciences CA · Private, nonprofit · 93 graduates measured | $89,408 | $98,221 | Data unavailable |
| Chapman University CA · Private, nonprofit · 130 graduates measured | $87,809 | $94,016 | Data unavailable |
| Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private, nonprofit · 101 graduates measured | $86,090 | $92,870 | Data unavailable |
| Touro University NY · Private, nonprofit · 113 graduates measured | $85,932 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Loma Linda University CA · Private, nonprofit · 133 graduates measured | $85,248 | $86,713 | Data unavailable |
| New York Medical College NY · Private, nonprofit · 71 graduates measured | $85,040 | $90,833 | Data unavailable |
| Stony Brook University NY · Public · 183 graduates measured | $83,959 | $87,514 | Data unavailable |
| Touro University California CA · Private, nonprofit · 123 graduates measured | $82,625 | $92,124 | Data unavailable |
| Touro University Nevada NV · Private, nonprofit · 123 graduates measured | $82,625 | $92,124 | Data unavailable |
| Angelo State University TX · Public · 18 graduates measured | $81,936 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Carroll University WI · Private, nonprofit · 128 graduates measured | $80,868 | $82,601 | Data unavailable |
| University of New Mexico-Main Campus NM · Public · 45 graduates measured | $80,150 | $85,001 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Graduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham AL · Public · 25 graduates measured | $78,073 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Capella University MN · Private, for-profit · 26 graduates measured | $63,584 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Careers linked to Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
| Occupation | Median wage, all workers | Change 2025 to 2035 | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers, all other | $122,930 | +3.7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Life scientists, all other | $93,750 | +6.3% | Bachelor's degree |
| Rehabilitation counselors | $46,850 | +2.2% | Master's degree |
| Health specialties teachers, postsecondary | $107,310 | +17.9% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Occupational therapists | $100,330 | +14.8% | Master's degree |
| Physical therapists | $102,760 | +11.9% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Recreational therapists | $61,960 | +4.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Exercise physiologists | $59,460 | +12.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Therapists, all other | $77,930 | +12.6% | Bachelor's degree |
| Orthotists and prosthetists | $81,110 | +12.9% | Master's degree |
| Medical appliance technicians | $48,030 | +3.5% | High school diploma or equivalent |
Occupations mapped to this field in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. Occupation wages describe all workers, not recent graduates.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Detailed CIP codes in this field (17)
- 51.2300 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, General
- 51.2301 Art Therapy/Therapist
- 51.2302 Dance Therapy/Therapist
- 51.2305 Music Therapy/Therapist
- 51.2306 Occupational Therapy/Therapist
- 51.2307 Orthotist/Prosthetist
- 51.2308 Physical Therapy/Therapist
- 51.2309 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
- 51.2310 Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor
- 51.2311 Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist
- 51.2312 Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering
- 51.2313 Animal-Assisted Therapy
- 51.2314 Rehabilitation Science
- 51.2315 Drama Therapy/Therapist
- 51.2316 Horticulture Therapy/Therapist
- 51.2317 Play Therapy/Therapist
- 51.2399 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other