by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 47 U.S. colleges awarded 1,028 degrees and certificates in Rehabilitation Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 80% of graduates. College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Rehabilitation Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing, rising to $75,072 after four years.
Studying Rehabilitation Science explores Rehabilitation Science. A Program That Focuses On Human Function, Disability, And Rehabilitation From The Perspectives Of The Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Psychology, Engineering, And Related Fields. Includes Instruction In Psychological, Social, And Cultural Aspects Of Disability And Rehabilitation; Sensory And Motor Function And Dysfunction; Biomechanics And Kinesiology; Assistive Technology; Rehabilitation Instrumentation And Methodology; Statistics; And Health And Rehabilitation Policy.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., rehabilitation science is a widely-pursued major, with 1,028 degrees awarded annually. 47 colleges award rehabilitation science degrees, an average of 22 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 185.
By level, the 1,028 awards include 827 bachelor’s degrees, 139 master’s degrees and 62 doctorates.
Women earned 77% of rehabilitation science degrees and certificates in the latest year (796 of 1,028). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (534) and Hispanic or Latino (234), and international students earned 50.
College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Rehabilitation Science Schools ranking, including 18 for bachelor’s degrees, 6 for master’s degrees and 8 for doctorates. It also ranks rehabilitation science schools within 10 states. In all, 47 colleges offer rehabilitation science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Rehabilitation Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common rehabilitation science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 827 of the 1,028 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to rehabilitation science call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Instructing, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
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How long a rehabilitation science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 827 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 139 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 62 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to rehabilitation science, at 35.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 35.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 18.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Rehabilitation Science, with an average median salary of $61,603; the strongest outlook belongs to Rehabilitation Counselors, at 12.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Veterinary Medicine Teacher, Health Education Teacher, Recreation Therapy Teacher and Medical Pathology Teacher.
The occupation related to rehabilitation science with the most projected jobs is Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | 151,522 | -2.5% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 33,909 | 12.1% |
Rehabilitation Science graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing their program, $75,072 after four years and $74,465 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $66,380 |
| 4 years | $75,072 |
| 5 years | $74,465 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to rehabilitation science is Life Scientists, All Other, with a median salary of $97,541.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $40,604 |
Rehabilitation Science has 15 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 27,878 degrees a year; the largest are Physical Therapy/Therapist (13,798), Occupational Therapy/Therapist (9,835) and Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor (939). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,798 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 9,835 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor | 939 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 686 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 640 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 639 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 582 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 302 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy | 115 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist | 96 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
