Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

The $26,000 debt load here sits right at the national median for rehabilitation programs, but the earnings picture raises questions. Based on comparable bachelor's programs nationally, first-year graduates typically earn around $36,000—and four years out, SIU-Carbondale's graduates earn essentially the same amount at $35,850. That flat trajectory is unusual and worth noting, especially when Illinois programs generally perform slightly better, with a state median of $37,693.

The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly nine months of their annual salary, which is manageable but leaves little room for error if career progression stalls. What's concerning isn't the debt itself—it's middling—but rather that earnings haven't budged by year four. In rehabilitation fields, where many positions require additional credentials or certifications beyond the bachelor's degree, this plateau might reflect graduates still working their way toward full professional status. The comparison to Aurora University's $41,856 outcome suggests some Illinois programs deliver substantially better returns, though differences in specialization within rehabilitation services could explain part of that gap.

For families, this means carefully examining what specific career path this degree supports and whether it's a terminal credential or a stepping stone. If your child needs graduate work to reach their intended role, factor that additional investment into your calculations. If not, understand you're looking at earnings that—based on peer programs—start modest and may stay there without strategic career moves.