Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Longwood University

Longwood's rehabilitation and therapeutic professions program starts strong with first-year earnings of $41,700—outpacing the national median by nearly $6,000 and landing in the 89th percentile nationally. That's impressive positioning for a program at a college with an 85% admission rate. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could swing significantly year-to-year, and the program sits right at Virginia's state median, suggesting it's competitive but not exceptional within the state.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 15% drop in median pay by year four, falling to $35,559. This backwards slide is unusual for healthcare-adjacent fields, which typically see steady growth as professionals gain experience and credentials. It could reflect graduates moving into different roles, pursuing further education, or the natural volatility of small sample data rather than a true career ceiling.

With debt at $26,808 and a 0.64 debt-to-income ratio based on first-year earnings, the financial fundamentals are reasonable—roughly two-thirds of one year's salary. But parents should understand that this program's outcomes are based on a very small cohort, making it harder to predict what your child's experience might be. If your student is committed to this field, Longwood provides a solid entry point, but the earnings decline warrants direct questions to the program about typical career paths and whether most graduates continue to advanced degrees.