Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Notre Dame of Maryland University

In Maryland's rehabilitation therapy field, comparable programs suggest first-year earnings around $36,000—notably higher than the state median of about $30,400, though below the national 75th percentile of nearly $40,000. Notre Dame's estimated $27,000 debt load aligns closely with both state and national benchmarks for this degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 that falls within manageable territory for healthcare-adjacent fields.

What complicates this picture is the nature of rehabilitation professions themselves. Many entry-level positions require additional certifications or graduate work to reach higher earning potential, meaning that initial $36,000 salary may represent a stepping stone rather than a career endpoint. The debt burden becomes more reasonable if this bachelor's serves as preparation for graduate study or specialized credentials that command stronger salaries—but it's a shakier proposition if your child intends to enter the workforce immediately after four years.

For families considering this path, the critical questions center on career goals. If your child plans to pursue occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech-language pathology at the graduate level, this bachelor's could serve as appropriate preparation. If the plan is to work immediately after graduation in rehabilitation support roles, you're looking at estimated starting pay that just barely exceeds the debt incurred—workable, but tight enough that alternative pathways or lower-cost programs deserve consideration.