Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at University of North Dakota

Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions typically lead to careers requiring graduate education, which makes this bachelor's degree's debt load a critical factor. Based on comparable programs nationally, graduates here would carry an estimated $25,474 in debt—slightly below the national median—while similar programs elsewhere suggest first-year earnings around $35,966. That 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in manageable territory, but four years out, when earnings climb to $52,250, the picture improves considerably. The question is whether your student plans to stop at a bachelor's or continue to graduate school for roles like occupational therapy or physical therapy.

If this degree serves as a stepping stone to a graduate program—as it often does in this field—you'll need to factor in additional years of education and likely more substantial loans. The bachelor's alone positions graduates for roles like rehabilitation aide or therapy assistant, where the mid-career earnings of $52,250 represent solid middle-class income in North Dakota. The low Pell grant percentage (16%) suggests this is already a relatively affluent student body, which may indicate families here have resources to support further education if needed.

Treat this as a foundation degree rather than a terminal credential. If your student is committed to rehabilitation professions and plans for graduate work, the moderate debt here won't derail that path. If they're uncertain about graduate school, though, understand that the bachelor's alone leads to support roles with more limited advancement.