Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Simmons University

Borrowing $27,000 for first-year earnings around $36,300 creates a manageable but not impressive financial picture. Based on comparable rehabilitation programs at Massachusetts institutions like Boston University and Assumption University, Simmons graduates would likely enter a field where starting salaries cluster tightly in the mid-$30,000s—with this program tracking right at the state median. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 sits comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, but there's little room for error if actual outcomes fall short of these estimates.

The challenging reality is that rehabilitation and therapeutic professions often require additional credentials or licensure beyond a bachelor's degree to reach higher earning potential. If your child plans to stop at the undergraduate level, peer programs in Massachusetts suggest annual earnings that may feel modest for Boston's cost of living. The field shows limited variation even at top-tier schools—Boston University's graduates earn only slightly more than those from UMass-Lowell, suggesting the credential itself matters more than the institution's prestige.

Given that both the earnings and debt figures here are estimates drawn from similar Massachusetts programs rather than Simmons-specific outcomes, treat this as a directional guide rather than a guarantee. If your child intends graduate school in occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech pathology—where the real earning power lies—factor those additional years and loans into your planning now.