Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Adams State University

Adams State's Health and Physical Education/Fitness program sits squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but falls short within Colorado, where it ranks in just the 40th percentile. Starting graduates earn $30,045—about $2,500 less than the state median for this major. Compare that to Metropolitan State University of Denver, where similar graduates start at $41,161, or even nearby CSU Pueblo at $34,865. If in-state tuition costs are comparable, those alternatives deliver substantially better returns.

The financial fundamentals are manageable but unremarkable. At $21,451, debt levels are lower than both state and national averages, and the 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly eight months' salary. Earnings do grow 15% by year four, reaching $34,394, which shows some career progression. For students genuinely committed to coaching, teaching, or fitness careers in rural Colorado, this works—you won't be drowning in debt, though you won't be earning top dollar either.

The concern is opportunity cost. With 10 programs offering this major across Colorado, most delivering stronger outcomes, Adams State makes sense primarily for students who need the geographic location or have specific ties to the institution. If your child has flexibility in where they attend, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere in the state could add $5,000-10,000 to their starting salary while keeping debt comparable.