Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online

Abilene Christian's online health and physical education degree shows a dramatic earnings trajectory, with median pay more than doubling from $27,898 in year one to $55,898 by year four. That 100% growth rate suggests graduates either move into coaching positions with significantly higher compensation or transition into related fields like athletic administration or wellness management. While first-year earnings fall below both Texas ($32,429) and national ($30,554) medians, by year four these graduates are earning substantially more than typical programs produce.

The debt picture is reasonable at $21,948—below both state and national medians for this field. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 based on first-year income, graduates face a manageable burden that becomes even more favorable as their careers accelerate. The program's 60% Pell grant enrollment and 100% admission rate indicate ACU Online serves a financially diverse student population, many of whom are likely working while studying.

For families comfortable with a modest start in exchange for strong growth potential, this program delivers. The key question is whether your child has clear plans for career advancement—perhaps coaching at the high school or college level, where experience and additional credentials unlock higher pay. If they're uncertain about staying in fitness education long-term, that sluggish first year might be harder to justify, even with the impressive trajectory that follows.