Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Northeastern University

Northeastern's $28,125 debt load for rehabilitation and therapeutic professions sits slightly above the state median, but it's the first-year earning estimate that requires honest discussion. Based on five comparable programs in Massachusetts, graduates in this field typically earn around $36,349—a figure that barely exceeds the national median of $35,966. At a highly selective institution with a 6% admission rate and average SAT scores above 1500, families might reasonably expect stronger immediate returns, particularly given Northeastern's reputation and competitive applicant pool.

The 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable monthly payments, and the program performs respectably against national benchmarks. However, rehabilitation fields often require graduate credentials for career advancement, meaning this bachelor's degree may represent just the first step in a longer, more expensive educational journey. The similarity in earnings across Massachusetts programs—from Boston University at $36,705 to UMass-Lowell at $35,605—indicates that this field's entry-level compensation is relatively standardized regardless of institutional prestige.

For families considering this path at Northeastern, the critical question is whether the school's co-op program and professional network justify the investment when peer programs in Massachusetts produce comparable early earnings. If graduate school is likely, accumulating undergraduate debt approaching $30,000 before additional credentials may strain long-term finances, even with the relatively modest debt burden starting out.