Health and Physical Education/Fitness at American Public University System

American Public University System's online Health and Physical Education program stands out dramatically in a field where graduates typically struggle financially. While the typical physical education graduate in West Virginia earns around $25,000 and the national median sits at just $30,554, APUS graduates start at $51,381—beating every other West Virginia program by over $20,000. Even more impressive, they manage this with only $19,312 in debt compared to the $25,000 state median.

The slight earnings dip to $49,811 by year four shouldn't overshadow the fundamental value here. This program delivers nearly double the earning power of comparable programs while keeping debt manageable—resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio that's actually favorable (less than 40%). The robust sample size of 100+ graduates confirms this isn't a statistical fluke.

For families concerned about the career prospects in physical education, this program provides an important counter-narrative. While traditional phys ed graduates often struggle with low salaries and high debt loads, APUS appears to be positioning students for different career pathways—possibly in corporate wellness, fitness management, or military contexts—that command significantly higher compensation. At this price point and these earnings levels, it's a genuine value proposition in a field where positive return on investment is rare.