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Best Value Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY York College graduates in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions earn $71,351 annually while paying just $4,734 in net costs, creating the strongest return on investment among these 20 programs. This massive earnings gap reflects the field's varied career paths, from physical therapy assistants earning $50,000 to occupational therapists commanding $85,000 in major metropolitan areas. The Northeast corridor employs nearly 40% of the nation's rehabilitation professionals, driven by aging populations and expanded insurance coverage for therapy services. D'Youville University represents the opposite end of the spectrum at $19,585 net cost but delivers $56,641 in graduate earnings, while several public options like California State University-Los Angeles offer strong value at $4,113. Graduation rates vary dramatically from Wilberforce University's 16% to University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's 71.2%, suggesting program structure and student support significantly impact completion. Texas schools dominate the middle tier with UT Rio Grande Valley and Stephen F Austin offering solid earnings potential around $30,000 for graduates willing to serve underserved communities.
50
Programs
$3,482 – $30,074
Net Price Range
$32,470
Avg. Program Earnings
57.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,734 $71,351 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
2 $3,482 $28,366 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
3 $4,113 $29,350 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
4 $7,349 $30,409 $14,776 16.0% 45.1%
5 $6,500 $26,886 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
6 $19,585 $56,641 $33,560 56.7% 84.0%
7 $11,679 $30,771 $9,019 39.7% 69.3%
8 $12,579 $31,907 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
9 $15,374 $38,122 $9,651 71.2% 74.3%
10 $15,152 $34,704 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
11 $14,352 $32,806 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
12 $16,041 $36,111 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
13 $17,084 $37,054 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
14 $17,096 $35,594 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
15 $15,089 $30,988 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
16 $12,171 $24,863 $8,508 48.7% 94.4%
17 $14,035 $28,598 $8,898 34.6% 81.6%
18 $14,873 $30,047 $10,989 52.8% 94.2%
19 $14,487 $28,960 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
20 $14,981 $29,926 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
21 $17,365 $34,603 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%
22 $16,514 $32,569 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
23 $16,928 $33,281 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
24 $19,951 $38,289 $8,815 68.2% 59.8%
25 $16,630 $31,314 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
26 $15,216 $28,236 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
27 $18,998 $35,060 $10,951 63.3% 83.3%
28 $13,393 $24,562 $6,735 48.6% 73.4%
29 $17,460 $31,852 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
30 $17,216 $30,771 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
31 $19,472 $34,704 $7,317 70.7% 68.8%
32 $18,627 $32,213 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
33 $13,889 $23,869 $11,248 30.2% 96.6%
34 $15,702 $26,739 $7,356 54.3% 95.7%
35 $19,524 $32,162 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
36 $22,604 $37,208 $51,040 66.8% 97.5%
37 $21,869 $35,060 $24,308 55.5% 80.9%
38 $20,814 $32,925 $15,200 61.6% 87.8%
39 $16,177 $24,730 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
40 $13,405 $19,227 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
41 $19,740 $27,488 $9,940 28.5% 53.9%
42 $30,055 $41,565 $36,028 70.5% 80.4%
43 $26,996 $36,717 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
44 $18,292 $23,579 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
45 $20,498 $26,353 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
46 $28,853 $36,092 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
47 $29,219 $35,416 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
48 $22,558 $25,774 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
49 $24,842 $26,353 $40,352 66.3% 78.1%
50 $30,074 $31,314 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive earnings difference between CUNY York College and other programs?

CUNY York College graduates earn $71,351 compared to the $28,366-$38,000 range at most other schools. This reflects New York's higher salaries for rehabilitation professionals and the college's strong clinical partnerships with major medical centers. The program likely feeds into specialized roles like respiratory therapy or medical assisting that command premium wages in metropolitan healthcare systems.

How do public university costs compare to private options in this field?

Public programs average $6,000-$15,000 in net costs while D'Youville University charges $19,585 as the only private option listed. However, D'Youville graduates earn $56,641, significantly above most public school outcomes. Public universities like University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offer strong middle ground with $15,374 costs and $38,122 earnings plus a 71.2% graduation rate.

Is the low graduation rate at some schools a red flag for prospective students?

Wilberforce University's 16% graduation rate compared to University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's 71.2% suggests major differences in program rigor and student support. However, students who complete programs at struggling schools still earn $30,000-$31,000 annually. The field's hands-on nature and clinical requirements create natural attrition points that affect completion rates across all institutions.

Does geographic location significantly impact career prospects in rehabilitation professions?

Texas schools like UT Rio Grande Valley and Stephen F Austin produce graduates earning $26,886-$34,704, reflecting the state's growing healthcare infrastructure. Michigan schools like Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan show higher earnings at $36,111-$37,054, benefiting from the state's medical device industry. Geographic salary differences of $10,000-$15,000 are common based on local healthcare markets and cost of living.

Where do rehabilitation professionals typically find employment after graduation?

Healthcare systems, rehabilitation hospitals, and outpatient clinics employ the majority of graduates, with starting salaries ranging from $24,863 to $71,351 depending on specialization and location. Schools near major medical centers like CUNY institutions benefit from direct pipeline relationships. Rural programs often prepare students for community health roles, explaining the consistent $30,000 earnings floor across different geographic markets.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.