Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Fremont University

Fremont University's rehabilitation therapy associate program shows concerning first-year earnings of just $17,956—less than half the national median for this degree. While that 60th percentile ranking among California programs might seem reassuring, there are only three schools offering this program statewide, making that comparison essentially meaningless. The real story is in the national context: this program lands in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs produce better outcomes.

The $20,000 debt load isn't extreme by itself, but it's oversized relative to what graduates actually earn. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.11, graduates owe more than their entire first year's salary. Even after four years, median earnings reach only $24,416—still below minimum wage equivalents in many full-time scenarios. The 36% earnings growth sounds positive, but it's climbing from an extremely low baseline.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, but that's not necessarily comforting—it might indicate program instability or limited career support. For a family investing $20,000, the return here looks weak compared to what's available nationally. If your child is committed to rehabilitation therapy, looking at programs in other states with stronger track records would be prudent before committing to this one.