Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Alverno College

Alverno's rehabilitation program lands right at the median for Wisconsin, with first-year earnings of $36,361—essentially matching what graduates across the state typically earn in this field. The estimated debt of $27,000, derived from comparable Wisconsin programs at similar institutions, produces a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74. That's better than many healthcare-adjacent fields where credential inflation has driven up both debt loads and time to degree.

What's worth noting is the consistency here. The program tracks closely with both state and national benchmarks, suggesting steady if not spectacular outcomes. Alverno serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (49%), and for students from those backgrounds, a sub-$30,000 debt load for entry into rehabilitation professions represents reasonable positioning. The field itself offers decent early earnings—rehabilitation therapists, therapy assistants, and related roles typically provide stable employment even if the salary ceiling isn't particularly high.

The caution is that this estimate comes from just three comparable programs statewide, so there's inherent uncertainty about Alverno's specific outcomes. If your child is comparing offers, programs like UW-La Crosse show that meaningfully higher earnings are possible in this field within Wisconsin. But if Alverno's accessible admissions (93% acceptance rate) and Milwaukee location work for your family, the estimated financial picture suggests the program shouldn't create unmanageable debt for students entering a stable, growing field.