Best colleges for Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Northwestern University, University of Illinois Chicago and North Central College award the most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees and certificates in Illinois: 142, 141 and 67 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Illinois colleges offer Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions and award 880 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions program prepares students for careers in various health-related fields focused on improving the quality of life for individuals through therapeutic interventions. This program is ideal for…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aurora University Aurora Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,856 | 36 | 60% | $18,431 | $23,750 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,530 | 141 | 62% | — | $16,666 |
Colleges awarding the most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 142 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 141 | $33,530 |
| 3 | North Central College Naperville Private not-for-profit | 67 | Not reported |
| 4 | Adler University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 48 | Not reported |
| 5 | Aurora University Aurora Private not-for-profit | 36 | $41,856 |
| 6 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 35 | Not reported |
| 7 | Rush University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 33 | Not reported |
| 8 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 29 | Not reported |
| 9 | Bradley University Peoria Private not-for-profit | 28 | Not reported |
| 10 | Lewis University Romeoville Private not-for-profit | 23 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 13 Illinois colleges offering Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwestern University - Downers Grove (Graduate only) | Downers Grove | Private not-for-profit | 87 |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (Graduate only) | North Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 45 |
| Governors State University | University Park | Public | 40 |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Public | 31 |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | Private not-for-profit | 21 |
| Southern Illinois University - Carbondale | Carbondale | Public | 20 |
| Chicago State University | Chicago | Public | 18 |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 17 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | Public | 7 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | Public | 5 |
| Concordia University - Chicago | River Forest | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Millikin University | Decatur | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Top skills
What Physical Therapists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees?+
Northwestern University (142 graduates a year), University of Illinois Chicago (141 graduates a year) and North Central College (67 graduates a year) award the most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Illinois colleges offer Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.
Which Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Aurora University tops the list at $41,856. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physical Therapists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Physical Therapists in Illinois is $109,080 (median $105,250), across about 9,800 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions program?+
The Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions program prepares students for careers in various health-related fields focused on improving the quality of life for individuals through therapeutic interventions. This program is ideal for…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Physical Therapists?+
The national job outlook is about +10.9% growth with around 13,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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