Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Aurora University

Aurora University's Health and Physical Education program delivers impressive early earnings, placing it in the 95th percentile nationally—but that stellar national ranking tells only part of the story. Within Illinois, where graduates are likely to work, the program lands at the 60th percentile, trailing schools like Benedictine and North Central by $2,000-3,000 annually. Still, at $37,256 first-year earnings, graduates significantly outperform both the state median ($30,051) and rank as the top program among Illinois schools shown, suggesting strong regional placement or robust career preparation.

The debt picture is notably favorable: $27,000 represents the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of comparable programs burden students with more debt), and the 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than they'll earn in their first year. For a field that typically leads to teaching, coaching, or fitness industry positions—none known for lavish starting salaries—this is solid financial positioning. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these outcomes.

The practical takeaway: This program won't make anyone wealthy, but it prepares graduates for real employment without crushing debt. If your child is committed to physical education or fitness as a career, Aurora offers a financially sustainable path into the field with better-than-average regional outcomes. The debt load is manageable even on entry-level salaries in this profession.