Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Butler University

Butler's rehabilitation and therapeutic professions bachelor's sits squarely in the middle of the national market, with estimated first-year earnings around $36,000—typical for this field but modest given the estimated $27,000 in debt. Based on comparable programs nationwide, graduates start with debt equal to about 75% of their first-year salary, which means roughly nine months of gross income would go toward the principal alone. This debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it leaves little breathing room for someone entering a helping profession with below-average starting pay.

The challenge here is that Butler charges private school tuition (reflected in that debt level) for outcomes that mirror what Indiana public universities deliver at lower cost. Indiana Wesleyan's nearby program produces similar earnings with slightly less debt. The 14% Pell grant rate suggests Butler primarily serves families who can shoulder significant education costs, which matters when first-year earnings barely crack $36,000. Similar programs across Indiana typically start graduates around $34,400, so Butler isn't delivering a substantial earnings premium to offset its higher price tag.

For families paying out of pocket or taking loans, this presents a value question: peer programs suggest you're likely looking at four to five years of dedicated loan payments on an entry-level helping profession salary. If your child has lower-cost options that lead to the same credential and similar career outcomes, those alternatives deserve serious consideration before committing to Butler's price point.