Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Belhaven University

Belhaven's Health and Physical Education program starts rough but shows the strongest earnings growth you'll see in Mississippi fitness education. That first-year salary of $25,503 sits below both state and national medians, but by year four, graduates reach $37,744—a 48% jump that suggests many graduates find their footing in coaching, athletic training, or school-based roles after gaining experience and certifications.

The real question is whether that trajectory justifies the wait. At $26,750 in debt (slightly above Mississippi's median for this field), graduates face tight finances early on. The program ranks in just the 12th percentile nationally but hits the 40th percentile in Mississippi, meaning it performs better relative to in-state competition than the national comparison suggests. Still, University of Southern Mississippi graduates earn $39,000 from day one—$13,500 more than Belhaven's first-year figure.

For families comfortable with a slower build, this program rewards patience. Graduates who stick with the field see meaningful salary increases, likely as they move from entry-level positions into more stable teaching or athletic administration roles. But if your student needs immediate earning power to manage debt, the challenging first few years could strain finances despite the promising later growth.