by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying 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. Read on to learn the key facts every rehabilitation science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering rehabilitation science programs.
In the U.S., rehabilitation science is a widely-pursued major, with 1,107 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Rehabilitation Science Schools ranking analyzes these 48 schools to determine the best overall colleges for rehabilitation science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of rehabilitation science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Rehabilitation Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations rehabilitation science graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a rehabilitation science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a rehabilitation science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several rehabilitation science degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 78 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 846 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 117 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 66 |
People currently working in careers related to rehabilitation science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in rehabilitation science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying rehabilitation science opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to rehabilitation science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to rehabilitation science.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of rehabilitation science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,332 |
| 4 years | $70,102 |
| 5 years | $75,167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for rehabilitation science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers rehabilitation science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $40,604 |
With 48 different rehabilitation science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased rehabilitation science school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in rehabilitation science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
