Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Christian Brothers University

Christian Brothers University's rehabilitation and therapeutic professions bachelor's degree comes with an estimated debt load of $27,000—slightly above the national median for these programs—while peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,000. That 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it means graduates would be carrying debt equivalent to about nine months of their starting salary, which could stretch repayment timelines in a field that doesn't typically command premium starting wages.

The challenge here is that rehabilitation programs can lead to very different careers—from occupational therapy assistants to recreation therapists to substance abuse counselors—each with distinct salary trajectories. Nationally, these programs cluster tightly around that $36,000 mark, with even top-performing programs only reaching about $40,000 in first-year earnings. That suggests the field itself, rather than the specific school, largely determines early outcomes. For a private university with an 88% acceptance rate, parents should verify whether this program includes clinical placements or certifications that justify the private school premium over Tennessee's public options.

The real question is whether this degree is a stepping stone to graduate school (which many rehabilitation careers require) or a terminal credential. If your child plans to continue their education, accumulating $27,000 in undergraduate debt before taking on additional graduate loans deserves serious consideration. If this degree leads directly to employment, the numbers work—but they don't offer much cushion.