Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Central Michigan University

Central Michigan's rehabilitation program graduates earn about $4,000 less than the state median four years out ($45,042 vs. $41,320 statewide), which might seem acceptable until you look at the competition. Saginaw Valley graduates in this field earn nearly $60,000—a $15,000 gap that compounds significantly over a career. Even Grand Valley students pull ahead by $1,500 annually. Within Michigan's eight programs, CMU lands at the 40th percentile, meaning more than half of comparable in-state options deliver better outcomes at roughly the same debt level ($27,000 vs. $26,834 state median).

The 16% earnings growth from year one to year four shows some upward trajectory, and the debt load is reasonable at 0.69 times first-year earnings. Nationally, CMU actually performs well—hitting the 70th percentile against 273 programs. But if you're a Michigan family paying Michigan tuition, the national comparison matters less than what's happening in your own backyard.

For families choosing between Michigan's rehabilitation programs, the decision comes down to whether CMU's accessibility (91% admission rate) justifies earning $15,000 less annually than Saginaw Valley graduates or being outpaced by Grand Valley. If your student needs the open-door admissions or prefers CMU's location, the debt-to-earnings picture won't be crushing. But if they can access the stronger programs, that's where the value lies.