Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Emporia State University

Borrowing $25,500 to earn around $36,000 in your first year represents a manageable debt load, but the ceiling on this career path merits serious consideration. Peer programs nationally suggest rehabilitation and therapeutic professions graduates start in the mid-$30,000s, with even top performers rarely exceeding $40,000. That's a modest financial foundation for someone carrying the typical expenses of a four-year degree, particularly when many healthcare-adjacent fields offer stronger earning trajectories.

What complicates the calculation here is that these estimates come from national averages rather than Emporia State's actual outcomes—the graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report specific figures. Kansas has only four bachelor's programs in this field, so local labor market conditions could differ substantially from national patterns. The relatively low debt burden is encouraging, especially at a school where 34% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting Emporia State keeps costs reasonable. But first-year earnings that barely exceed $36,000 leave little margin for error if your child needs extra time to graduate or takes on additional loans.

Before committing, verify what specific careers this degree qualifies graduates for and whether those roles require additional certifications or graduate education. If this is primarily a stepping stone to physical therapy school or occupational therapy programs, that's a different investment calculation entirely than if it's meant as a terminal credential.