Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Brigham Young University-Idaho

This bachelor's in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—slightly above the national median for these programs—but produces first-year earnings around $36,000 based on peer programs nationally. That 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it does mean graduates are looking at substantial monthly payments relative to their starting salary. For context, similar rehab programs nationally cluster in a tight range, with even top performers only reaching about $40,000 in first-year earnings, suggesting this field simply doesn't command high starting salaries regardless of where you study.

BYU-Idaho's structure as a largely open-access LDS institution (97% admission rate) keeps costs relatively manageable, which helps explain why the estimated debt here aligns closely with national figures despite Idaho's smaller program landscape. However, rehabilitation professions often require additional credentials or graduate work to reach career-level positions with better pay—physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar fields typically need master's degrees or clinical certifications. If your child plans to stop at the bachelor's level, understand that $36,000 annually will feel tight when managing nearly $300 monthly loan payments.

The key question is whether this degree serves as a stepping stone or an endpoint. If it's preparation for graduate school, factor in additional debt ahead. If it's meant to launch a career immediately, recognize that the financial margin will be thin in those early years.