Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

This Mississippi Gulf Coast program combines unusually low debt with earnings that track national norms for rehabilitation therapy associates. At $7,752 in debt—less than half the national median of $17,527 for these programs—graduates face one of the lightest debt burdens in the field. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $39,000, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.20. That means graduates could theoretically pay off their entire debt with about 10 weeks of gross income, assuming they land roles similar to those of graduates from comparable programs.

The caveat is that we're working with estimated earnings here because the graduate cohort was too small to report publicly. What we know is that rehabilitation therapy associates nationally—physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, and similar roles—tend to start around this $39,000 mark, with established career paths and licensing requirements that support wage stability. The college serves a substantial Pell grant population (41%), and the debt figure suggests they're protecting students from over-borrowing even in a field that often requires clinical training and equipment.

For a two-year health credential, this looks like a solid foundation—minimal debt exposure with earnings potential that aligns with what similar programs produce. The key is confirming that your child can complete the program and secure the necessary licensure, as these roles typically require passing state exams to practice.