Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at University of Hartford

This program's trajectory tells an unusual story: estimated first-year earnings of around $36,000 based on national peer programs, followed by a dramatic jump to $73,000 by year four. That kind of doubling suggests graduates are likely pursuing additional credentials or clinical licenses after their bachelor's degree—common in rehabilitation fields where entry-level positions give way to fully licensed professional roles. The $23,000 debt load sits below the national median for this field, making the initial tight finances more manageable than at many competing programs.

The challenge is that first year. With debt roughly two-thirds of starting salary, graduates face 18-24 months of constrained budgets while they're presumably building clinical hours, pursuing certification, or entering graduate programs. Rehabilitation professions often require this ladder-climbing, which explains why similar programs nationally show modest starting figures. The four-year earnings suggest the investment ultimately pays off, but your family needs a financial cushion for that transition period—this isn't a program where graduates walk into $60,000 jobs immediately after commencement.

The real question is whether your student plans to stop at the bachelor's level or continue to graduate training. If they're headed toward physical therapy, occupational therapy, or similar clinical roles that require advanced degrees, this becomes a stepping stone with reasonable debt. If they plan to work with just the bachelor's, that $73,000 four-year figure matters more than the starting salary—but you'll want to understand what credential or licensure drives that increase.