Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at University of Dayton

The $27,000 debt load here sits right at the national median for rehabilitation programs, but the challenge comes when you match it against first-year earnings. Based on comparable bachelor's programs across Ohio, graduates typically earn around $36,000 in their first year—meaning debt equals roughly nine months of gross income. That's manageable on paper, but in practice it means tight budgets early on, especially in a field where entry-level positions often require additional certifications or licensure that cost time and money.

What's worth noting is how compressed the earnings are across Ohio's rehab programs. The state's top-performing school, University of Toledo, reports graduates earning just $1,600 more annually than the state median. This suggests the field itself—not the specific program—largely determines your child's earning trajectory. The real differentiation likely comes from clinical placement quality, networking opportunities, and whether the program prepares students for graduate school, since many rehab careers (physical therapy, occupational therapy) require advanced degrees for full licensure and substantially higher earnings.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 is workable if your child is certain about the career path and understands it may be a stepping stone to graduate training rather than a terminal degree. If they're exploring or unsure, this level of borrowing for mid-$30,000 starting earnings demands serious conversation about career commitment and long-term plans.