Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Claflin University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 suggests manageable borrowing for Claflin's rehabilitation program, though both figures come from peer institutions rather than this specific school's graduates. Based on comparable programs nationwide, first-year earnings around $36,000 combined with $27,000 in debt means graduates would need roughly nine months of gross income to cover their educational investment—a workable starting point for a helping profession.

The challenge lies in what comes next. Rehabilitation fields often require additional credentials or graduate degrees to reach higher earning potential, and starting at $36,000 in South Carolina—where the cost of living is relatively low—may feel tight for someone already carrying debt. Claflin serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (73%), meaning many families are balancing this investment against limited financial cushion. The national data suggests this is a field with modest but stable entry-level outcomes, not one where early earnings surge dramatically.

For families evaluating this program, the key question is whether your student plans to enter the workforce immediately or pursue further education. If graduate school is likely, that $27,000 becomes a foundation rather than a ceiling for total borrowing. If they're career-ready after the bachelor's, the estimated debt load appears serviceable, though without school-specific data, you're making this decision on national averages rather than Claflin's actual track record with rehabilitation graduates.