Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Biola University

Biola's Health and Physical Education program launches graduates at $29,298—below the national median but notably above California's typical outcome of $28,094. While that 60th percentile state ranking might initially seem reassuring, the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, making it harder to predict your child's likely outcome.

The debt load of $26,062 translates to a 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates carry roughly 11 months of their first-year salary in student loans. This sits near national norms for the program, but it's worth noting that California's median debt for this degree is considerably lower at $19,870. Starting salaries under $30,000 make those monthly loan payments feel substantial, even with relatively moderate borrowing. For context, top California performers in this field—including California Baptist and Saint Mary's—place graduates earning $34,000 to $35,000, a meaningful difference when managing debt repayment.

The limited sample size is the critical caveat here. If your child is passionate about fitness education and values Biola's faith-based mission, this could work—but recognize the financial tight-rope of the first few years. Consider whether your family can provide supplemental support during that initial earning period, or if your student might need to pursue additional credentials to boost earning potential.