Location: Sparkill, NY•In-State Tuition: $37,720•Admission Rate: 82%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$39,739
Est. from NY median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from NY median (5 programs)

Analysis

Similar rehabilitation and therapeutic programs across New York suggest first-year earnings around $39,700 against $27,000 in debt—a 0.68 ratio that lands in manageable territory for healthcare-adjacent fields. This places St. Thomas Aquinas College's program at the state median, though it's worth noting that reported outcomes from peer programs in New York show significant variation, with CUNY York graduates earning nearly $58,000 while others cluster closer to $40,000.

The debt load based on comparable programs at similar institutions appears reasonable for a bachelor's degree, requiring roughly eight months of gross earnings to repay. However, rehabilitation and therapeutic professions often require additional credentials or certifications beyond the bachelor's level to reach higher earning potential, which could mean taking on more debt before entering the workforce at full capacity. The relatively high admission rate and low Pell enrollment at St. Thomas Aquinas suggest a private college environment with fewer financial aid resources than state schools.

For families considering this path, the key question is whether this particular program leads to direct employment or serves as preparation for graduate study. If it's the latter, factor in those additional costs and time. The state median figures suggest a viable entry point, but the wide earnings spread among New York programs—some earning 45% more than others—indicates that program quality and placement support matter considerably in this field.

Where St. Thomas Aquinas College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all rehabilitation and therapeutic professions bachelors's programs nationally

St. Thomas Aquinas College (estimated ±10%)Other rehabilitation and therapeutic professions programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
St. Thomas Aquinas CollegeSparkill$37,720$39,739*—$27,000*—
CUNY York CollegeJamaica$7,358$57,806*$79,325—*—
D'Youville UniversityBuffalo$33,560$50,473*$64,089$26,250*0.52
State University of New York at CortlandCortland$8,815$40,853*$46,350$27,000*0.66
Nazareth UniversityRochester$40,880$39,739*—$27,000*0.68
Utica UniversityUtica$24,308$39,478*—$27,000*0.68
National Median—$35,966*—$26,250*0.73
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with rehabilitation and therapeutic professions graduates

Physical Therapists

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.

$101,020/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Occupational Therapists

Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual's environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual.

$98,340/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities. May train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, or home management skills.

$98,340/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Orthotists and Prosthetists

Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.

$78,310/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Recreational Therapists

Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

$60,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Exercise Physiologists

Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.

$58,160/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Rehabilitation Counselors

Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.

$46,110/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical Appliance Technicians

Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

$45,820/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Engineers, All Other

All engineers not listed separately.

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

Mechatronics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At St. Thomas Aquinas College, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.