Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Belmont University

Belmont's health and physical education program graduates start at $32,464—roughly $4,000 above Tennessee's median and $2,000 above the national average for this field. While the sample size is small enough to warrant caution, these graduates appear to be earning competitively with peers from Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee State, the state's top-performing programs in this field.

The debt picture offers real relief. At $20,000, Belmont graduates carry significantly less debt than the typical health and physical education major in Tennessee ($24,000) or nationally ($25,757). That translates to manageable monthly payments even on those early-career salaries. The 16% earnings growth to $37,714 by year four suggests steady career progression, though these numbers reflect a field that isn't known for explosive salary growth.

The combination works: moderate starting pay with below-average debt, in a program that outperforms 60% of Tennessee alternatives. Given Belmont's Nashville location and the institution's strong regional reputation, students interested in coaching, fitness training, or health education roles are getting reasonable preparation without the debt burden that often accompanies private university degrees. Just remember these figures are based on a small graduating class, so individual outcomes could vary more than usual.