Best colleges for Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Western Carolina University and East Carolina University are the top bachelor's Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. University of North Carolina Wilmington leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,366, College Scorecard. Duke University, Winston-Salem State University and East Carolina University award the most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees in North Carolina: 143, 122 and 108 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 22 North Carolina colleges offer Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions and award 978 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 4 bachelor's programs, 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 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,366 | 29 | 71% | — | $21,500 |
| 2 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,608 | 65 | 60% | — | $24,000 |
| 3 | East Carolina University Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,371 | 108 | 63% | — | $26,000 |
| 4 | Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,421 | 122 | 47% | — | $28,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees in North Carolina
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit | 143 | Not reported |
| 2 | Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem Public | 122 | $31,421 |
| 3 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 108 | $32,371 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public | 73 | Not reported |
| 5 | Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory Private not-for-profit | 67 | Not reported |
| 6 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 65 | $37,608 |
| 7 | Wingate University Wingate Private not-for-profit | 62 | Not reported |
| 8 | High Point University High Point Private not-for-profit | 59 | Not reported |
| 9 | Methodist University Fayetteville Private not-for-profit | 56 | Not reported |
| 10 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit | 43 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 12 North Carolina colleges offering Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell University | Buies Creek | Private not-for-profit | 41 |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | Concord | Private not-for-profit | 32 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington | Public | 29 |
| Pfeiffer University | Misenheimer | Private not-for-profit | 21 |
| Appalachian State University | Boone | Public | 20 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | Public | 18 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Isothermal Community College | Spindale | Public | 3 |
| Warren Wilson College | Swannanoa | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton | Public | 3 |
| Catawba College | Salisbury | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Top skills
What Physical Therapists earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees?+
Duke University (143 graduates a year), Winston-Salem State University (122 graduates a year) and East Carolina University (108 graduates a year) award the most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 22 North Carolina colleges offer Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.
What is the best college for Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions in North Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, University of North Carolina Wilmington leads among bachelor's Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,366, College Scorecard. Western Carolina University and East Carolina University follow. By degrees awarded, Duke University is the largest, with 143 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of North Carolina Wilmington tops the list at $39,366. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physical Therapists earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Physical Therapists in North Carolina is $100,010 (median $99,910), across about 7,350 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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