Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson's rehabilitation program graduates earn nearly $8,000 more than the national median—placing them in the 95th percentile nationwide—but that impressive ranking needs context. With only two schools in Pennsylvania offering this associate's degree, the state comparison is less meaningful. More concerning: these graduates carry twice the debt of their national peers ($35,437 vs. $17,527), and their earnings flatline completely between years one and four.

That debt load matters. While a 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, graduates are starting their careers with significantly more to repay than typical for this field. The flat earnings trajectory suggests limited advancement opportunities, which makes that higher debt burden harder to justify. At most programs, rehabilitation associate graduates carry under $18,000 in debt—you're paying double for what appears to be the same earning potential four years out.

The small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. For a family considering this investment, that uncertainty compounds the debt concern. If your student is set on rehabilitation therapy, programs with similar outcomes but lower debt loads exist across the country. Unless there's a specific advantage to Jefferson's network or clinical partnerships, the premium price doesn't align with the career trajectory the data shows.