Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Belmont Abbey College

With only about two dozen graduates tracked, Belmont Abbey's Health and Physical Education program shows both caution flags and promising signs. That first-year salary of $27,739 sits below the national average but actually outperforms half of North Carolina's programs in this field—a relevant comparison since in-state tuition makes local schools the practical choice for many families. The $25,250 debt load aligns with what's typical, creating a roughly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable if those early years remain stable.

The 40% earnings jump to $38,867 by year four suggests graduates who stick with the field can reach solid middle-class territory, though you're still looking at a gap compared to top NC programs like Meredith ($38,525 starting) or UNC Charlotte ($34,219). For students planning careers in teaching, coaching, or fitness training—fields where passion often matters as much as pay—this trajectory works. But families expecting Health and PE degrees to lead directly to high earnings should recalibrate expectations.

The small sample size means one exceptional graduate or one person who left the field entirely could skew these numbers significantly. If your child is seriously considering this program, ask the college directly about job placement rates and what percentage of graduates actually work in education or fitness roles versus unrelated fields.