Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State graduates earn nearly $60,000 right out of the gate—outperforming 95% of rehabilitation therapy programs nationwide and 80% within Michigan. That's $18,000 more than the typical Michigan graduate in this field and $24,000 above the national median. Even Grand Valley State, often considered the state's flagship for health programs, trails by more than $16,000. For a moderately selective school with a 73% admission rate, these outcomes punch well above their weight class.

The financial equation looks exceptionally clean. At just $18,500 in debt (far below both state and national medians of around $26,500), graduates face a debt burden of only 31% of their first-year salary. This means manageable payments from day one, with room to save or invest rather than simply surviving. The combination of high earnings and low debt is rare in allied health fields, where programs often saddle students with $30,000+ in loans for careers starting in the mid-$30,000s.

With a moderate sample size backing these numbers, this represents one of Michigan's strongest values in rehabilitation therapy. The program delivers immediate career traction at a price point that won't anchor graduates with debt for a decade. For families weighing in-state options, this belongs at the top of the list.