Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Concordia University-Wisconsin

The $21,875 debt load here sits well below Wisconsin's $25,000 median for rehabilitation programs, but that advantage matters less when first-year earnings from comparable programs in the state suggest around $36,361. That 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio is workable—you're looking at manageable monthly payments—but the real question is whether this program provides a clear path to the higher-earning positions within rehabilitation fields, or if graduates typically need additional credentials to advance.

Similar programs at UW-La Crosse report first-year earnings near $41,000, suggesting there's meaningful variation in outcomes even within Wisconsin. Whether that gap reflects different program focuses (some rehab programs feed into occupational therapy assistant roles, others into exercise science or community health positions) or employer networks isn't clear from the data. What you can see is that Concordia's debt burden gives students more breathing room than most competitors—sitting at the 88th percentile nationally means only 12% of similar programs nationwide carry higher debt.

For families weighing this option, the lower debt is the concrete advantage. The earnings estimate from peer programs suggests solid entry-level prospects that roughly match state and national norms. Your key diligence should focus on what specific careers this program prepares students for and whether those paths require graduate school—something that would significantly change the financial calculus beyond these bachelor's-level figures.